People v. Wood (2024) G061001 G061001; filed 7/11/24. ![[Files/CaseFiles/G061001.PDF]] [Opinion PDF](https://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/archive/G061001.PDF) ## Rule excerpts Parallel civil and criminal proceedings; the court applies a discretionary balancing test and held a stay required on these facts. > We reach that conclusion despite our awareness that, as Wood concedes, the court has no absolute obligation to stay a civil case whenever a parallel criminal case is pending. (See Federal Savings and Loan Ins. Corp. v. Molinaro (9th Cir. 1995) 889 F.2d 899, 903.) The court, nonetheless, has the authority and discretion to do so when the circumstances indicate that a stay is warranted, as they did here. — People v. Wood (2024) G061001, slip op., p. 15.