Trial date set for Fresno Assemblyman Arambula’s misdemeanor child abuse charge
Democratic Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula will go to trial April 23 on the misdemeanor child abuse charge filed against him by the Fresno County District Attorney’s office in March. He’s accused of injuring his 7-year-old daughter in December.
Assistant District Attorney Steve Wright and Arambula attorneys Michael Aed and Margarita Martinez-Baly were in court Thursday to confirm the trial date. Wright said he estimates the trial will take two weeks, while Aed said he anticipates it will last seven to 10 days.
Judge Gary Orozco will preside over the jury trial.
The assemblyman has yet to appear in person during the court proceedings. Martinez-Baly said he will be in court for the trial.
Arambula was arrested, cited and released on Dec. 10 after police responded to a call from his eldest daughter’s school.
Both the assemblyman and his wife have stressed his innocence, saying he spanked the girl on the buttocks as part of regular discipline. Their three daughters were placed with Arambula’s father, former Assemblyman Juan Arambula, for two days. Joaquin Arambula then regained custody, and there has been no further action from the county’s child welfare department.
Arambula took a leave of absence from the Assembly last month.
Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer and Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp have been no less certain that a crime was committed.
The misdemeanor charge – willful cruelty to a child – has ignited a public conflict between some of Fresno’s most prominent leaders.
Dyer has spoken frequently to the media regarding the case. Smittcamp appointed Wright, her second-in-command, to prosecute it.
Arambula’s attorneys claimed these moves signified political motivations against the assemblyman, which drew more public response from both Dyer and Smittcamp. Neither the Fresno Police Department nor the DA’s office typically comment on a case once it reaches court.
Arambula’s attorneys have pushed for a speedy trial in which to clear his name and allow him to return to the Assembly.
This story was originally published April 11, 2019 at 10:40 AM.