A lawyer for an ex-San Joaquin County Superior Court clerk facing criminal charges for allegedly knowingly releasing a sealed document entered a not-guilty plea on his client’s behalf Monday.
Former clerk Pamela Edwards pleads not guilty to her single charge of disobeying a court order, her attorney David Wellenbrock said at a court proceeding in Lodi. Edwards was not present in court.
The charge stems from Edwards’ alleged release of a sealed search warrant to reporters in November 2023. Unsealed last week, the warrant authorized San Joaquin County Sheriff’s deputies to search Stockton school board member AngelAnn Flores’ home, electronic devices and online accounts, as well as Stockton Unified School District offices.
An accompanying deputy’s affidavit seeking permission for the search made sweeping claims of misconduct and financial crimes against several school board members and local figures in addition to Flores, though there are significant questions about the supporting evidence.
Following Edwards’ arrest by sheriff’s deputies in November 2024, her case was marked by unusual attempts by the Superior Court to keep her arrest warrant — and deputies’ accompanying affidavit arguing for it — sealed. A judge ultimately unsealed that warrant in January.
In court Monday, Wellenbrock indicated he may request the personnel records of at least one of the officers who investigated Edwards through what’s called a Pitchess motion — typically used when lawyers suspect officer misconduct. Wellenbrock didn’t specify which officer’s department records he’d seek, or why.
Edwards’ case is set to return to court in April for pre-trial proceedings, the judge said.