Justice

California is one of just two states that provides no money for the basic defense of poor people accused of crimes.

Investigations in to fatal shootings by California police take so long that officers often cannot be decertified or charged with most crimes.

Investigations into fatal shootings by California police now take so long that officers often can't be decertified or prosecuted, a CalMatters investigation shows.

The Trump administration is sending conflicting signals about a policy that would make most immigrants return to their home countries while applying for green cards.

A California law empowers local health officials to inspect immigrant detention centers. San Diego County sued to enforce it after being denied access to a facility.

A Los Angeles prosecutor likened a Black murder suspect to a Bengal tiger. Decades later, the California Supreme Court found that trope showed unacceptable racial bias.

Courts in Los Angeles and Riverside counties are testing an artificial intelligence tool and deciding whether it can be used in high-stakes criminal cases.

The Trump administration immigration crackdown swelled the population inside California's immigrant detention centers. State investigators in a report described strained medical resources inside the sites.

Counties would have to report their public defenders' workloads under the proposed legislation.

Californians accused of crimes can receive mental health treatment rather than prison time under a 2018 law. Lawmakers are revamping the rules following reports of violent offenses.