Amid Fears of Crime and Mental Illness, States Move to Expand Forced Treatment Advocates of assisted outpatient treatment say it could reduce homelessness and mass shootings. Critics call it incarceration by another name. Caleb Brennan Aug 04, 2022
Advancing Peace, Against the Odds In Stockton, California, a police-free gun violence prevention program is standing firm against the tough-on-crime backlash. Heather Tirado Gilligan Aug 03, 2022
28 Years, 160 Arrests: What One Man’s Record Reveals About San Diego’s Broken Justice System What do you do with people who are repeatedly failed by social services and the legal system? Kelly Davis Jul 11, 2022
What Happened When Oakland Tried to Make Police Pay for Misconduct Decades Ago In the '90s, the city passed a policy requiring the police department to pay some of their own legal costs. There’s no evidence that the department ever paid up. Akintunde Ahmad Mar 01, 2022
Meet the California PR Firm Helping Cops Fight Off Bad Press There’s a growing business crafting law enforcement narratives about police shootings and officer misconduct. Scott Morris Nov 30, 2021
When Prisons Locked Down, Prisoners Were Denied Release Leaving prison often hinges on completing rehabilitative programming. The pandemic caused many of these required courses to be put on hold. Daniel Moritz-Rabson Jun 29, 2021
The Dishonest Blame Game of Retail Store Closures and Crime Reporters who parrot corporate claims of out-of-control theft play into a narrative that benefits big business and perpetuates carceral policies. Kyle C. Barry Jun 22, 2021
The California Attorney General is Investigating Sean Monterrosa’s Killing. His Sisters Are Also Fighting For Systemic Change Monterrosa, 22, was killed by a police officer who had a history of shooting at civilians. His sisters are pushing for a law they believe could have saved him. Piper French May 17, 2021
Failure To Disclose Despite a 2019 California law mandating the release of certain records related to police misconduct, law enforcement agencies in the state are still fighting records requests. Darwin BondGraham, Ali Winston May 05, 2021
California’s New Attorney General Has A Reputation As A Criminal Justice Reformer. But His Biggest Test Is Yet To Come Rob Bonta’s career has hinged on the idea that the law can be used to engender social justice. His elevation to California’s “top cop” position, where he will become responsible for the vast bureaucracy of the state’s criminal legal system, will be a crucible for that belief. Piper French May 03, 2021
‘It Tears Families Apart’: Lawmakers Nationwide Are Moving to End Mandatory Sentencing Repealing state and federal mandatory minimums will help address the mass incarceration crisis, advocates hope. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Apr 15, 2021
After Daunte Wright’s Death, Advocates Press Leaders to Get Police Out of Traffic Enforcement Cities across the country must rethink the role of law enforcement, as police continue to brutalize and kill Black men and women during traffic stops, advocates say. Joshua Vaughn Apr 14, 2021
Children Can Be On Their Own When Grilled By Police. The Push for Protection is Growing Several states, including Maryland, are considering bills to protect minors from abusive police interrogations. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Mar 25, 2021
Jeff Rosen Sought the Death Penalty For An Innocent Man. He Shouldn’t Be California’s Next AG The Santa Clara County district attorney’s name has been floated for the role of the state’s top prosecutor despite his use of the death penalty against people of color. Michael Ogul Mar 19, 2021
California Governor Commutes Sentence of Abuse Survivor, Grants Clemency to Several Others Advocates have been urging Governor Gavin Newsom to make greater use of his clemency power, especially for older prisoners who are more vulnerable to COVID-19. Meg O'Connor, Joshua Vaughn Mar 12, 2021
California Prosecutors’ Association Reveals More Public Money May Have Been Misspent New evidence suggests more accounting troubles for the CDAA. Jerry Iannelli Mar 05, 2021
Berkeley City Council Passes Sweeping Reforms to Limit Police Traffic Stops In an effort to end systemic racism, the California city will aim to reduce the number of police-involved traffic stops for expired registrations and other small violations. Joshua Vaughn Feb 23, 2021
California’s D.A. Association Misspent $3 million. Environmental Groups Want it Repaid A coalition of environmental groups urges the legislature to force the repayment and dissociate from the CDAA. Jerry Iannelli
New York Moves A Step Closer To Decriminalizing Sex Work After organizing to repeal the “walking while trans” ban, advocates in the state—and around the country—are looking ahead to the next fight. Bryce Covert Feb 09, 2021
At Least 5 Capitol Rally Participants Were In A Violent ‘Patriot March’ In San Diego Right-wingers and ultranationalists convened in the city days after the Washington insurrection, but the police crackdown that day fell on counterprotesters. James Stout Feb 03, 2021
The California District Attorneys Association Is Failing Californians After years of misappropriating millions of dollars, opposing criminal justice reform, and ignoring the will of voters, the CDAA must be held to account by the governor and the attorney general. Sydney Kamlager Feb 01, 2021
Compton Joins the Growing Number of U.S. Cities to Launch a Guaranteed Income Program The California city began distributing out up to $600 monthly to low-income residents. Jerry Iannelli Jan 28, 2021
‘Captain Taser’ A Vallejo police lieutenant has a long history of excessive force allegations in a department that is under investigation by the California Department of Justice—and he continues to rise in the ranks. Brian Krans Jan 21, 2021
Gavin Newsom’s High-Stakes Choice For California Attorney General By appointing a reformer to replace the outgoing Xavier Becerra, Newsom has the chance to begin dismantling a sprawling, bloated system of prisons and jails that incarcerated nearly a quarter-million people as of 2018. Jay Willis Jan 14, 2021
Shifting Incarceration Costs to Counties Could Mean Fewer People in Prisons and Jails, Study Suggests A new study suggests that if counties—rather than states—bear the cost of incarceration, they may be less likely to incarcerate people. Joshua Vaughn Dec 09, 2020
Newly Elected Los Angeles DA Will End Cash Bail in Nation’s Largest Prosecutor Office On his first day in office, George Gascón said prosecutors will not seek bail starting Jan. 1, a win for criminal justice reformers. Eliyahu Kamisher Dec 07, 2020
George Gascón Wins Race for Los Angeles D.A. in Major Victory for Progressive Prosecutor Movement Los Angeles County, with the country’s largest jail system and largest local prosecutor office, is considered a crown jewel in a nationwide push for criminal justice reform. Eliyahu Kamisher Nov 06, 2020
Holly Mitchell Wins Supervisors Race With Big Implications For Criminal Justice Reform In Los Angeles County The LA County supervisors are poised to tackle a wide range of criminal justice reforms, including moving children and people struggling with mental health issues out of the criminal legal system, and redirecting millions of dollars away from law enforcement and back into communities. Piper French Nov 05, 2020
California Voters Reject Regressive Measure That Would Have Rolled Back Years Of Successful Criminal Justice Reforms The ballot initiative would have bloated prisons and jails in the state and undone important criminal legal reforms, advocates say. Ray Levy Uyeda Nov 04, 2020
A Clash of Housing Philosophies Is At The Heart of a High-Profile California State Senate Race First-time state Senate candidate Jackie Fielder’s housing plans are geared toward government investment, while incumbent Scott Wiener’s plans have relied on the construction of market rate housing with some affordable units. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Nov 03, 2020
This California Teacher Wants Environmental Justice Fatima Iqbal-Zubair, who seeks to represent South Central Los Angeles in the State Assembly, wants 'clean air, clean water, and clean food' for her constituents. Jerry Iannelli Oct 29, 2020
In California Rent Control Battle, Controversies Swirl Around Funders on Both Sides Corporate backers of a group opposed to Proposition 21 don’t match the protective image it portrays. And a nonprofit that has contributed to supporters has been accused of financial improprieties. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Oct 28, 2020
This Los Angeles County Election Could Have A Big Effect On Criminal Justice Reform The Board of Supervisors wields enormous power over a county government apparatus that includes the DA’s office, probation department, and sheriffs. Piper French Oct 21, 2020
California’s Proposition 20 Would Roll Back Years of Criminal Justice Reform The ballot initiative, supported by police, corporations, and even big grocery chains, would use more taxpayer money to incarcerate people, rather than invest in other social services. Ray Levy Uyeda Oct 08, 2020
California Voters Have An Opportunity To Chip Away At Jim Crow-Era Voting Law Proposition 17 would allow people with felony convictions to cast ballots while they are on parole. Kira Lerner Oct 06, 2020
Prison Labor Is on the Frontlines of the COVID-19 Pandemic States like California, New York, and Arizona have relied on prisoners to continue working, with little pay and in precarious conditions, during the coronavirus pandemic. Eliyahu Kamisher Oct 05, 2020
California Needs A Community-Based Response To People In Crisis, Not Law Enforcement Governor Newsom should sign the CRISES Act into law this week and invest in community partners who support people in crisis situations. Asantewaa Boykin Sep 29, 2020
California Prison Guard Union Responsible for ‘Bullseye’ Ad Donates $1 Million to Jackie Lacey’s Re-election Campaign Late-stage donations to the Los Angeles DA race increase concerns about the influence of law enforcement money on politics. Piper French Sep 24, 2020
The Pervasive Violence of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Several recent killings have put the spotlight on the largest sheriff’s department in the U.S., but many of the LASD’s abuses go unseen, advocates say. Piper French Sep 15, 2020
A New Law To Help Formerly Incarcerated Firefighters Is Far More Limited Than It Seems California just made it a tiny bit easier for formerly incarcerated people to become civilian firefighters. But the law still leaves many obstacles in their path. Jay Willis
A Life Sentence Couldn’t Defeat Their Love. Now They’re Working To Change The System That Kept Them Apart. Taewon Wilson and Candace Chavez-Wilson are part of a growing movement to end life without possibility of parole and other harsh sentences. Mara Kardas-Nelson Aug 24, 2020
My Friend Died In San Quentin Due To COVID-19. His Death Was Entirely Preventable. Incompetence and inaction by California’s leaders are driving illness and death inside the state’s prison system. Adnan Khan Aug 05, 2020
Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Homelessness Report Calls for Defunding of Police A June report from the county’s independent judicial arm urges local government to reallocate law enforcement resources to social services. Ella Fassler Jul 31, 2020
As Eviction Cliff Looms, Calls To Cancel Rent Grow Housing rights activists in California are pushing for taxation of rich residents to help the hundreds of thousands of people who may be at risk of losing housing after COVID-19 eviction restrictions end. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Jul 27, 2020
Coronavirus In Jails And Prisons A new report finds that too many kids, particularly Black youth, continue to be held in dangerous juvenile detention facilities; California prison officials refused offers of free testing before and during San Quentin outbreak; and Gov. Gavin Newsom announces plans to release 8,000 incarcerated people. Kelly Davis Jul 10, 2020
Coronavirus In Jails And Prisons A new multimedia campaign seeks to amplify voices of people incarcerated in Maryland’s Prince George’s County Jail, a GEO Group stockholder sues the for-profit prison company over its ’woefully ineffective’ COVID-19 response, and widespread testing is turning up thousands of new infections. Kelly Davis Jul 09, 2020
San Quentin Prisoners Go On Hunger Strike Amid Massive COVID-19 Outbreak About 20 people in the prison’s Badger section have been on hunger strike for the past few days, three people incarcerated there say. Kira Lerner Jul 01, 2020
In the Middle of a Pandemic, Prisoners at San Quentin Are Punished for Being Sick Prisoners are reluctant to report when they’re feeling sick, because they know they’ll be sent to solitary confinement. Juan Moreno Haines Jun 23, 2020
Family of Man Who Died at California Jail After Shouting ‘I Can’t Breathe’ Demands Answers From Sheriff In October 2018, Marshall Miles died at the Sacramento County jail after struggling with deputies. His lawyers say a deposition scheduled for next month will force the sheriff to answer for the in-custody death. Jerry Iannelli Jun 18, 2020
Judges Must Also Be Centered In Demands To Defund And Divest From Mass Criminalization Calls to defund the police must also be accompanied with divesting power and discretion from judges. Gina Clayton-Johnson Jun 17, 2020
Two of His Sons Are Incarcerated During the Pandemic. A Third Is Fighting to Get Them Out. Both incarcerated brothers are at an increased risk of complications from COVID-19—and one has tested positive. Chris Gelardi May 27, 2020
Still in Solitary Five years after statewide hunger strikes and a landmark settlement, men incarcerated in a California prison say they’re still isolated for up to 22 hours a day. Joshua Manson May 21, 2020
After More Than 25 Years Behind Bars, He’s At High Risk For Coronavirus. Now He’s Going Home John Wesley Parratt Jr. was scheduled to appear before the parole board in July. After the novel coronavirus arrived in San Quentin State Prison, he feared for his health. Juan Moreno Haines May 14, 2020
A Woman’s Fight to Get Her Terminally Ill Sister Out of Prison During the Pandemic California Governor Gavin Newsom said he’s releasing thousands of prisoners. But that doesn’t necessarily include some of the state’s sickest patients. Mara Kardas-Nelson May 11, 2020
California Tenants Will Go on a Rent Strike if the State Falls Short of Cancelling Rent Laid-off workers say they face insurmountable debt and homelessness if they have to pay back months of rent after the pandemic. Supriya Yelimeli Apr 30, 2020
The Battle to Convert California Hotels into Housing Has Begun Elected officials need to stop making excuses for not getting unhoused people into hotel rooms. Jonny Coleman Apr 24, 2020
In Overcrowded San Quentin, Coronavirus Shelter-In-Place Measures Mean Decreased Quality of Life With programming paused and prison jobs reduced, people inside will not be able to earn good-time credits and are cut off from a means of supporting themselves. Juan Moreno Haines Apr 16, 2020
Working-Class Tenants Are Seizing Vacant State-Owned Property in LA On the intersection of two public health crises: housing and COVID-19. Jonny Coleman Apr 09, 2020
California Makes Major Bail Change To Slow the Spread of Coronavirus In Jails Bail will be set at $0 for most misdemeanors and low-level felony offenses. Kira Lerner Apr 06, 2020
Sex Offender Registry Requirements Leave Some Facing Stark Choices As Coronavirus Risks Grow Inconsistent rules nationwide mean some people are still registering and reporting in person despite public health directives meant to control COVID-19. Dawn R. Wolfe Apr 03, 2020
Closing California Courts Won’t Prevent A COVID-19 Crisis in Jails Los Angeles County judges must move quickly to release a broad group of people in custody. Alicia Virani Apr 02, 2020
The Last Trial In California As the novel coronavirus spread in the state, a Solano County judge denied numerous motions to continue a troubled double kidnapping and rape case marred by allegations that a Vallejo police detective withheld exculpatory evidence. Brian Krans
In California, Coronavirus Threatens Due Process Delaying trials will mean more people stay in jail while a life-threatening disease spreads throughout the state. Kyle C. Barry Apr 01, 2020
Tenants in Oakland Are Going on a Rent Strike Tomorrow Residents have been told to stay in their homes to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus—but little has been done to ensure they can afford to stay there, activists say. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Mar 31, 2020
A Plea to Governor Newsom: Don’t Abandon Elderly Incarcerated People to Die From COVID-19 We can’t allow “violent criminal” rhetoric to justify leaving some of the most vulnerable people in dangerous conditions. James King Mar 30, 2020
First Two Coronavirus Cases Confirmed at California Prisons The state Department of Corrections confirmed two staff cases of COVID-19. No prisoners have been confirmed to have the virus, the department said. Kira Lerner Mar 20, 2020
As the Coronavirus Pandemic Continues, Homeless Communities Are Particularly Vulnerable How California, which is home to more than half of the country’s unsheltered homeless population, is addressing the needs of the unhoused. Kira Lerner Mar 18, 2020
What Sheriffs Can Do To Slow the Coronavirus Outbreak Sheriffs wield enormous power, and they can direct it in ways that will help contain the spread of COVID-19 and protect incarcerated people. Jessica Pishko
To Stop Coronavirus, Places Where People Gather are Shutting Down Across California. What About Its Jails? Activists are calling on the governor, district attorneys, sheriffs, and judges to take action to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Mar 16, 2020
‘What Will It Take For You To Call This A Homicide?’ In California, a Vallejo detective and a Solano County prosecutor concealed exculpatory evidence from a man facing murder charges. They went on to face accusations of misconduct in other high-profile cases. Darwin BondGraham, Brian Krans Mar 11, 2020
Family Separation And ‘A Longer View Of Public Safety’: A Conversation With San Francisco D.A. Chesa Boudin Vaidya Gullapalli Jan 24, 2020
Arizona’s Incarcerated Firefighters Push for Legislation That Recognizes Their Labor By Reducing Their Sentences Unlike other states, Arizona offers minimal early release credits for the prisoners it sends to fight its wildfires. Hannah Critchfield Jan 21, 2020
Los Angeles County D.A. Jackie Lacey Skipped The First Democratic Debate of the Race After two terms at the helm of the nation’s largest prosecutor office, Lacey has drawn pointed criticism from community advocates who say she is standing in the way of criminal justice reform. Aaron Morrison Dec 12, 2019
Kamala Harris’s Criminal Justice Record Killed Her Presidential Run Harris’s record as a prosecutor was representative of a politics of the past. The nation has moved on. Lara Bazelon Dec 04, 2019
In a Private Facebook Group, California Police Brag About Breaking State Law to Help ICE Some officers have recently boasted about breaking state law and collaborating with ICE, according to messages posted in the group and obtained by The Appeal. Darwin BondGraham Nov 22, 2019
Orange County Judge Rules That Sheriff’s ‘Blanket’ Shackling Practice Violates Prisoners’ Rights People held in courthouse cells were shackled for up to 15 hours a day, and some were unable to eat, change menstrual pads, or use the bathroom, advocates say. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Nov 19, 2019
Public Defender Chesa Boudin Wins San Francisco D.A. Race In Major Victory For Progressive Prosecutor Movement Son of incarcerated parents, backed by Black Lives Matter co-founders, Boudin will be the next DA of San Francisco. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Nov 09, 2019
Deadlocked San Francisco District Attorney Race Shows Strength of Progressive Prosecutor Movement Chesa Boudin is just 240 votes behind Suzy Loftus, even after local law enforcement spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to defeat him. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Nov 06, 2019
People Behind the Girls Do Porn Website Were Just Charged With Sex Trafficking. But Complaints Were Filed About Them Years Ago. At least three women made police reports about Girls Do Porn in 2015, but recruiters continued to exploit women until the FBI stepped in last month. Meg O'Connor Nov 04, 2019
Who Gets To Proclaim The Progressive Prosecutor Mantle? Interim San Francisco D.A. Suzy Loftus claims to be a "progressive," but her long record as a prosecutor reveals an all-too-familiar path chosen by establishment-types who have little interest in disrupting the status quo. Patrisse Cullors Nov 01, 2019
San Francisco Police Brutality Claim Puts Pressure on Next D.A. to Hold Cops Accountable Ahead of the city’s district attorney election on Tuesday, the alleged baton beating last month of Dacari Spiers has renewed debate over police accountability. Darwin BondGraham
California Court Destroys Files In Historic Police Corruption Case Criminal case files from Oakland’s seminal Riders scandal were among documents shredded by the Alameda County Superior Court in 2015. Ali Winston, Darwin BondGraham Oct 30, 2019
New Lawsuit Focuses On Alleged L.A. County Deputy ‘Gangs’ Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva was elected on the promise of reforming the scandal-plagued sheriff’s department. But eight deputies now accuse Sheriff Villanueva of allowing a violent group, the Banditos, to thrive in his department's ranks. Ali Winston Oct 10, 2019
California Gang Laws Are Normalized Racism The gang database in the state gives police increased authority to approach and harass people for virtually no reason at all. Emily Galvin-Almanza Oct 04, 2019
Interim San Francisco D.A. Suzy Loftus is Running for Office as a Reformer. But Critics Say She Didn’t Do Enough to Reform the SFPD. Loftus led the San Francisco Police Commission through a bloody and turbulent era. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg
A California Sheriff And Prosecutor Want To Jail Homeless People. Their Plan Is Unlawful. Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood and District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer intend to openly defy a 1975 state Supreme Court precedent that says law enforcement cannot intentionally discriminate against a person or group of people. Kate Chatfield Oct 03, 2019
The Media Frenzy Over Chanel Miller Boosts Mass Incarceration Miller's victim impact statement was centered in a recent '60 Minutes' segment on the Brock Turner case. But such statements do not heal victims, and Miller's unfavorable comparison of Turner's sentence to drug offenders only reinforces carceral logic. Meaghan Ybos Sep 30, 2019
California Supreme Court Fails To Resolve ‘Constitutional Crisis’ Created By Police Privacy Laws A narrow ruling on Brady lists ensures that protecting the police will continue to prevail over due process. Kyle C. Barry Sep 18, 2019
Pepper Spray Is Toxic, Experts Say. So Why Is It Being Used on Children? California is one of only six states that allow staff in juvenile facilities to carry pepper spray. But LA’s coming ban is still facing pushback. Charlotte West Sep 10, 2019
New Lawsuit Claims a Sacramento Deputy Unlawfully Arrested Activist Who Protested Clearing Of Homeless Encampment Advocates and homeless people are suing Sacramento County over its treatment of homeless—and the city responded by filing a lawsuit against seven men for being a ‘public nuisance.‘ Meg O'Connor Sep 04, 2019
San Francisco Deserves Restorative Justice Our response to crime should focus on healing and accountability, not punishment and retribution. Chesa Boudin Aug 30, 2019
California Has a Chance to Repeal a Building Block of Lengthy Prison Sentences Vaidya Gullapalli Aug 28, 2019
‘You Don’t Own Me’ At 16, Larry Rosser was imprisoned for killing a woman who sexually and physically abused him. He served 22 years in the California prison system before being released in 2017, after parole commissioners became convinced he was a rehabilitated victim. Aaron Morrison
In Liberal California, A Crusader Against Criminal Justice Reform Assemblymember Jim Cooper is pushing to roll back changes that have successfully reduced incarceration. Jessica Pishko Aug 19, 2019
Oakland Police Have Been Systematically Underreporting Use Of Force A new internal audit shows that officers disproportionately strike, tussle with, and draw guns on Black people but then fail to disclose the incidents in their reports. Darwin BondGraham Aug 12, 2019
‘See How Quickly They Behave Once We Put Our Foot Down?’ A federal lawsuit claims that Palo Alto, California, police falsely detained, arrested, and beat a gay Latinx man—then boasted about their brutality. Joshua Vaughn
California Man Charged With Murder Even Though He Didn’t Fire A Shot Last year, lawmakers repealed the felony murder rule, which allowed prosecutors to charge defendants with murders they didn‘t commit. Prosecutors are trying to overturn the new law, but AG Xavier Becerra believes that the reform should stand. Darwin BondGraham Aug 05, 2019
When Cops Lie, Should Prosecutors Rely Upon Their Testimony At Trial? In California, Texas and Florida, advocates sent letters to district attorneys, demanding that they refuse to work with officers with histories of misconduct. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Jul 29, 2019
Oakland Police Conducted An Illegal Search And Then Lied About It. But They May Be Spared From Discipline. A California Superior Court ruling gives officers accused of misconduct access to investigator notes and files while cases are in progress. Darwin BondGraham Jul 17, 2019
County Failures, Not State Reforms, Are Killing People In California Jails Since the state’s public safety realignment in 2011, sheriffs have used criminal legal reform as a scapegoat for their failure to maintain safe jails—and recent reporting has given county officials a free pass to make that excuse. Jonathan Ben-Menachem Jul 16, 2019
When Someone Dies in An Orange County Jail, Who’s Culpable? Advocates say Anthony Aceves’s death conforms with long-standing issues in the second-largest jail system in California. Raven Rakia Jul 10, 2019
‘Do Not Record’ Phone calls between prisoners in Orange County and their lawyers were recorded and accessed. How wide the eavesdropping was remains an open question. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Jun 28, 2019
Fremont Police Said a Man Wielded a Deadly Weapon When They Shot Him. But Records Reveal He Waved a Tent Pole. The police union’s newly elected vice president led the investigation into the shooting that cleared Officer William Gourley of any wrongdoing. Darwin BondGraham Jun 21, 2019
Jackie Lacey’s Legacy Is ‘Unfair and Discriminatory,’ Advocates Say A new report charges the Los Angeles DA with seeking the death penalty in unjust and harsh ways. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Jun 19, 2019
Orange County’s ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ The California county has a thin blue line that appears to protect not just the police, but also the DA’s office, criminal justice advocates say. Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg
‘I Was in Constant Fear’: Immigrant Faces Deportation After Prison for Domestic Dispute Aylaliya Birru has served over four years in a California prison for assaulting her husband, who she said was physically abusive. A pardon from Governor Gavin Newsom is her last hope to stay in the U.S. Aaron Morrison May 29, 2019
Commander Of Major California Narcotics Task Force Fired For A String Of Thefts And Lies Newly released records show that task force members faced allegations of theft and questionable overtime, all under the watch of a commander later fired for lying as the misconduct was investigated. Darwin BondGraham May 23, 2019
Simon Liu Isn’t A Sex Offender. But He’s Still on the Registry For Life. California’s expansive registry law forces people to pay for crimes they didn’t personally commit. Kyle C. Barry May 13, 2019
Police In California Are Killing Sleeping People The fatal shooting by Oakland police of an unconscious man as he woke is putting pressure on the California department to rethink its deployment of force. Darwin BondGraham May 02, 2019
Are Sheriffs Necessary? Advocates are pushing to abolish the office in Los Angeles and elsewhere. Jessica Pishko Apr 24, 2019
California Cities Have Shredded Decades of Police Misconduct Records Police union lawsuits delayed many local governments from complying with a new transparency law. In the meantime, some cities have destroyed files. Darwin BondGraham Apr 17, 2019
Hundreds Stuck in California Prisons as Prosecutors Seek to Block New Law Senate Bill 1437 virtually eliminated the ‘felony-murder rule,’ but district attorneys aren’t ready to let it go. Jessica Pishko Mar 25, 2019
One Simple Way To Hold Bad Prosecutors Accountable State bar organizations have the power to discipline prosecutors, but they studiously ignore bad behavior. Jeff Adachi, Peter Calloway Mar 21, 2019
The Appeal Podcast: Pushing For Police Accountability in Sacramento With Appeal senior staff reporter Aaron Morrison Adam H. Johnson Mar 14, 2019
‘I’m Not Going Anywhere Until They Stop Killing People’ In 2009, Anaheim police shot and killed Theresa Smith’s son. A new California law promises police transparency, but her quest for answers faces a substantial cost. Aaron Morrison Mar 13, 2019
California Police Unions Fight New State Law Promising Transparency on Misconduct Records Senate Bill 1421 requires law enforcement agencies to make public investigative records of officer-involved shootings and uses of force resulting in great bodily harm. But law enforcement unions argue that the law threatens the privacy of their members. Darwin BondGraham Feb 20, 2019
Man Exonerated In Murder, But Diagnosed With Terminal Cancer As He Awaited Freedom William J. Richards was cleared in the death of his wife. But he says he was the victim of medical neglect while he was behind bars, which led to a cancer diagnosis becoming terminal. Now he's suing. Erika Stallings Feb 19, 2019
Over 200 People Went On Hunger Strike After Months In Lockdown At California Prison Corcoran state prison has a history of abuse that includes forcing prisoners into ‘gladiator fights.’ Raven Rakia Feb 15, 2019
The Appeal Podcast: How Police Unions Are Fighting California’s New Transparency Law With Appeal contributor Darwin BondGraham Adam H. Johnson Feb 14, 2019
Police Policy for Sale Lexipol, a private for-profit company, has quietly become one of the most powerful voices in law enforcement policymaking in the country. Scott Morris Feb 13, 2019
‘I’ve Made My Share Of Wrongs, But I Haven’t Killed No One’ California amended its felony murder law, which holds accomplices responsible for murder. But reform won’t reach a man sentenced to death in a deadly robbery—even though he was never accused of firing a shot. Maura Ewing Feb 04, 2019
‘I Feel The Oxygen Going Out Of My Mouth’ In October 2018, Marshall Miles was taken into custody by Sacramento County sheriff‘s deputies outside a convenience store. About 14 hours later, he was dead. Aaron Morrison Jan 31, 2019
Incarcerated Transgender Women’s Lives Must Matter As Kamala Harris begins her presidential run, her move to block gender affirming surgery for an incarcerated transgender woman deserves scrutiny, especially as new cases highlighting the struggle for the rights of imprisoned trans women emerge. Zoé Samudzi Jan 28, 2019
Expansion Of Largest Jail System In The United States Must End Los Angeles County’s jail system incarcerates tens of thousands of people at a multi-billion dollar cost. The communities most impacted by mass incarceration have had enough. Patrisse Cullors, Lex Steppling Jan 23, 2019
California Governor Jerry Brown is Fighting Trump With Pardons. Will Other Governors Follow Suit? The departing governor has chosen to pardon immigrants whose past criminal offenses put them in danger of deportation. Melissa Gira Grant Nov 29, 2018
Solitary Confinement, Jail Deaths Rock Race For Sheriff in California In Santa Clara County, incarcerated people, and a former undersheriff challenging six-term sheriff Laurie Smith, have turned conditions of confinement into a potent electoral issue. Victoria Law Oct 29, 2018
Claims of Racism and Brutality Dog Los Angeles County Sheriff ‘Deputy Gangs’ A lawsuit brought by a Compton resident detailing an alleged beating by deputies is just one of nearly three dozen federal civil rights lawsuits alleging brutality and racial bias at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. George Joseph, Raven Rakia and Ethan Corey Sep 28, 2018
A New Power for Prosecutors is on the Horizon—Reducing Harsh Sentences Legislation in California would provide a direct route to resentencing, and a new tool for activists. Kyle C. Barry Sep 07, 2018
The Endless Punishment of Civil Commitment Prosecutors can subject those convicted of sexual offenses—and sometimes, those with no conviction at all—to an indefinite period of civil punishment at the end of their criminal sentence. Guy Hamilton-Smith Sep 04, 2018
Doxxed By Berkeley Police Critics say the Berkeley Police Department’s unusual practice of posting anti-fascist protesters’ mugshots on Twitter endangers activists and violates free speech rights. Scott Morris Aug 24, 2018
Against Innocence In the wake of Nia Wilson’s murder, it’s critical that calls for justice in response to anti-Black violence are not contingent upon appeals to white-approved notions of innocence and respectability. Zoé Samudzi Aug 08, 2018
California County Law Enforcement Puts Kids On Probation for Bad Grades A new lawsuit says Riverside County’s probation officers threaten to prosecute kids for ‘pre-delinquent’ behavior. Carimah Townes Jul 10, 2018
The Only Winners In California’s Fines and Fees System Are Private Debt Collectors San Francisco just became the first city in the nation to stop charging court fines and fees, but the rest of the state has a long way to go. Teresa Mathew Jul 02, 2018
Santa Clara County Public Defender Explains What Judge Persky’s Recall Means For His Clients The judge who sentenced Brock Turner brought much-needed compassion to the bench, says public defender Sajid Khan. Paul DeBenedetto Jun 11, 2018
Is The Yolo County District Attorney Betraying CA Voters? By charging shoplifters with felonies, Jeff Reisig is circumventing Prop 47, intended to reduce CA prison populations. Jessica Pishko Jun 04, 2018
As Bail Reform Moves Forward in California, Defendant Who Advanced It Remains Incarcerated Max Rivlin-Nadler Mar 01, 2018
Los Angeles Public Defender’s Office Has A New Interim Leader — And She’s Never Represented Indigent Clients Emma Whitford Feb 09, 2018
California Ruling Could Give Accused Gang Members a Chance to Clear Their Names Maura Ewing Jan 24, 2018
Even With A Governor’s Pardon, Jesus Aguirre, Jr. Is Still a Gang Member According to Orange County Jessica Pishko Jan 18, 2018
More Than 50,000 Californians Can Get ‘Back on the Road’ Alameda County Superior Court reversed license suspensions for 54,000 people who were punished for their inability to pay fines. Rebecca McCray Dec 04, 2017
California jail hunger strikers: “We’re seeking humanity” Alameda and Santa Clara County jail detainees round out the first week of a hunger strike for better conditions. Rebecca McCray Oct 20, 2017
Contra Costa County will stop forcing families to pay for incarcerated kids The decision was unanimous. Carimah Townes Sep 21, 2017
San Francisco wants safe injection sites. Law enforcement stands in its way. There are approximately 22,000 intravenous drug users in the city. Carimah Townes Sep 08, 2017
California prosecutor punished a second time for conduct in prosecuting high profile child molestation case Larry Hannan Aug 31, 2017
Reform candidates come under attack in Contra Costa County District Attorney selection process Larry Hannan Aug 24, 2017
Will Contra Costa County’s next District Attorney commit to criminal justice reform? Rebecca McCray Aug 23, 2017
California’s district attorneys at odds with voters over criminal justice reform District attorneys want to keep an outdated system alive. Carimah Townes
California Sheriff and D.A. disagree on a sheriff deputy’s decision to shoot Carimah Townes Aug 02, 2017
California Supreme Court finds “discriminatory bias” in prosecution’s use of peremptory jury strikes Larry Hannan Jul 05, 2017
California man facing execution as District Attorney Mike Ramos disputes substantial evidence that he is innocent Larry Hannan Jun 21, 2017
