Justice | CalMatters

Rob Bonta, in confirmation hearings to be California's next attorney general, laid out his priorities to hold police more accountable. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Bonta vows as California’s top cop he’ll be tougher on policing

by Robert Lewis April 21, 2021May 6, 2021

In hearings, Rob Bonta offers a new direction for a state justice department that progressives say has slow-walked reforms.

Detainees wait in a cell for an appearance in Sacramento County Superior Court in Sacramento on Nov. 1, 2016. Even before the pandemic, California courts struggled to dispose of cases in a timely fashion for myriad reasons, and just how to just how to address the systemic issue remains unclear. Photo by Rich Pedroncelli, AP Photo

Can California fix long waits in jail? These bills may help

by Robert Lewis April 13, 2021April 13, 2021

Waiting for justice: Defendants locked up for years awaiting trials, sentencing

by Robert Lewis March 31, 2021April 13, 2021

Abba Bail Bonds across from the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles on Oct. 21, 2020. After voters recently rejected Prop. 25 that would have ended cash bail, the California Supreme Curt ruled that some defendants are entitled to relief. Photo by Tash Kimmell for CalMatters

Can’t afford bail? State Supreme Court offers relief for some defendants

by Robert Lewis March 26, 2021March 26, 2021

Demonstrators attend the "#StopAsianHate Community Rally" at San Jose City Hall Plaza in downtown San Jose on March 21, 2021. Recent incidents have prompted California lawmakers to urge an expansion of Californias hate crimes laws. Photo by Nhat V. Meyer, Bay Area News Group

After attacks on Asian Americans, California lawmakers push to expand hate crime laws

by Byrhonda Lyons and Robert Lewis March 25, 2021March 25, 2021

Diversity growing among California judges but trial courts lagging

by Byrhonda Lyons March 5, 2021March 5, 2021

Detainees wait to be processed at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in Adelanto on Aug. 28, 2019. Because detainees are in federal custody, state health officials said last week that they aren’t sure who is responsible for vaccination at the detention centers. Photo by Chris Carlson, AP Photo

Immigration detention centers showcase California’s vaccine chaos

by Ana B. Ibarra February 22, 2021February 22, 2021

Guillermo Hernandez sits in his van in Richmond on Jan. 28, 2021. Hernandez, who uses his van for his businesses buying and selling second hand goods, lost work after having his license suspended in 2013 for failure to pay a ticket. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

State lifts suspensions of half a million driver’s licenses

by Robert Lewis January 29, 2021January 29, 2021

Sara Kruzan sits for a portrait in Coto de Caza on Jan. 14, 2021. Photo by Shae Hammond for CalMatters

Victims behind bars: Trafficking survivors still struggle despite state laws

by Byrhonda Lyons January 27, 2021January 26, 2021

President Donald Trump; Former State Attorney General Xavier Becerra. Photo by Gage Skidmore via Flickr; Anne Werrnikoff, CalMatters

California’s bill for fighting Trump in court? $41 million so far

by Byrhonda Lyons January 22, 2021January 21, 2021