Motion for Sanctions
23CV028616: WASHINGTON vs LI, et al. 08/04/2026 Hearing on Motion for Sanctions filed by Jason Levette Washington (Plaintiff) CRS# 222253324985 in Department 518
Tentative Ruling - 07/30/2026 Mark Fickes
The Motion for Sanctions filed by Jason Levette Washington on 03/11/2026 is Denied.
Background
On March 11, 2026, Plaintiff Jason Levette Washington filed a Motion for Sanctions against Defendant Qing C. Li with a request to stay the case to preserve the status quo. Defendant Qing C. Li opposes.
Legal Standard
A trial court may order a party, the partys attorney, or both, to pay reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees, incurred by another party as a result of actions or tactics, made in bad faith, that are frivolous or solely intended to cause unnecessary delay. (CCP § 128.5.) Sanctions are warranted under section 128.5 only if the moving party meets its burden of proving that the opposing partys action or tactic was (1) totally and completely without merit, measured by the objective reasonable attorney standard, or (2) motivated solely by an intention to harass or cause delay, measured by a subjective standard. (Wallis v. PHL Associates, Inc. (2008) 168 Cal.App.4th 882, 893.)
Discussion
It is unclear what litigation tactics Defendant has taken which could be withdrawn and/or were frivolous. Plaintiff mentions several factual issues involving some form of forcible entry and conversion involving security cameras. These are tortious or perhaps criminal acts, but they are not litigation tactics.
The motion must describe the specific alleged action or tactic, made in bad faith, that is frivolous or solely intended to cause unnecessary delay. If the challenged conduct involves a written motion or a pleading that can be withdrawn or corrected, then a 21-day safe harbor period applies and is required by CCP § 128.5
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Further, no proof of service regarding this motion is on file with this court, as required by CCP § 1005.
This motion is defective.
Further, the court notes that this motion is similar to several other ex parte motions filed by Plaintiff and thus Plaintiffs behavior appears vexatious. 23CV028616: WASHINGTON vs LI, et al. 08/04/2026 Hearing on Motion for Sanctions filed by Jason Levette Washington (Plaintiff) CRS# 222253324985 in Department 518
For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiffs motion for sanctions and request for stay is DENIED.
Plaintiff is encouraged to consult legal counsel before filing any more motions in this action.
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PLEASE NOTE: Pursuant to California Rule of Court 3.1308, subdivision (a)(1), this tentative ruling will become the order of the Court unless it is contested before 4:00 PM on the court day preceding the noticed hearing.
To contest a tentative ruling, a party should do the following:
First, the party must notify Department 518, by email at Dept518@alameda.courts.ca.gov and copy all counsel of record and self-represented parties. The contesting party must state in the subject line of the email the case name, case number and motion.
Second, the party shall log into the eCourt Public Portal, search for this case (e.g., by case number), select the case name, select the "Tentative Rulings" tab, click the "Click to Contest this Ruling" button, enter the party's name and a brief statement of the party's reason for contesting the tentative, and click "Proceed."
Please note the Court does not permit remote appearances for motions for summary judgment that are contested. If you contest a Motion for Summary Judgment, you must appear in person.
For all other motions (unless otherwise noted in the tentative ruling), Parties may appear via videoconference, using the Zoom.com website or application. TO CONNECT TO ZOOM: Department 518 is inviting you to a scheduled ZoomGov meeting.
Topic: Department 518's Personal Meeting Room
Join ZoomGov Meeting https://alameda-courts-ca-gov.zoomgov.com/j/16054307984
Meeting ID: 160 5430 7984
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SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF ALAMEDA
23CV028616: WASHINGTON vs LI, et al. 08/04/2026 Hearing on Motion for Sanctions filed by Jason Levette Washington (Plaintiff) CRS# 222253324985 in Department 518
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