People v. Valdez

The Court of Appeal affirmed defendant's conviction of battery by gassing in violation of Penal Code section 243.9(a). The purpose of the battery by gassing statute is to deter individuals in custody from spitting on, or throwing feces or urine on, peace officers. In this case, the court rejected defendant's contention that a courtroom was not a local detention facility under section 243.9(a) and held that the courtroom constituted a "local detention facility" where the practical, reasonable, common sense interpretation of the statute promoted the Legislature's goal of protecting peace officers from battery by inmates. View "People v. Valdez" on Justia Law