By Andrew Chung Feb 4 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court allowed California on Wednesday to use a new electoral map designed to give Democrats five more congressional seats, improving the party's chances of regaining control of the U.

A California Supreme Court ruling involving a Sacramento traffic stop bars police from stopping or ticketing drivers over loose marijuana, ruling that it's similar to spilled beer and not readily consumable.

The California Supreme Court recently issued a ruling to help identify how much poor Californians must pay in fees and fines when they break a law. The decision strikes an important balance between punishment and fairness, leaving plenty of room for state legislators to make more progress.