People v. Walker

Summary

The court held that Penal Code section 1385, subdivision (c)(2) does not create a rebuttable presumption requiring dismissal of an enhancement unless dismissal would endanger public safety. Instead, sentencing courts must give enumerated mitigating circumstances great weight and engage in holistic discretionary balancing, while retaining authority to deny dismissal based on substantial, relevant, and credible countervailing evidence. The court affirmed because the defendant was not entitled to relief even under this less restrictive interpretation of the sentencing court’s authority.