Tentative Ruling on Motion for Attorneys' Fees and Costs

Howard v. Chrysler, Case No. 2019-05724

Notice of Settlement filed: May 26, 2020

Motion hearing date: October 9, 2020, 1:30 p.m., Dept. 72


1. Overview and Procedural Posture.

This is a "lemon law" case involving a 2016 Dodge Ram 1500, purchased new by plaintiffs in April of that year. The complaint was filed in January 2019. ROA 1. It pled a single count for breach of express warranty under the Song-Beverly Act. It alleged defects in the brakes, steering, and engine/powertrain of the vehicle. Defendant Chrysler answered in February 2019. ROA 9.

At a due-course CMC, this court set the case for trial in May 2020. ROA 17-22. But in March of 2020, the Presiding Judge of the SDSC signed, with the consent of the Chief Justice, the first in a series of administrative orders closing the SDSC for all but emergency matters due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. The administrative orders are available on the SDSC website, as are t