Justice

Several heavily armed federal immigration agents restrain a person on the ground beside parked vehicles while other officers stand nearby holding rifles during an enforcement operation on a city street.

Justice

Immigration agents used racial slurs during LA sweeps, court records show

The records came to light as part of lawsuit alleging that federal agents used racial profiling to target Latinos.

By Sergio Olmos and Wendy Fry • July 27, 2026

A blue guard tower rises above chain-link fencing topped with razor wire surrounding a large prison complex, viewed across a grassy field with wildflowers blurred in the foreground.

Justice

Why California prisons are using their own employees as human fire alarms

California spends tens of millions dollars every year paying prison employees to look for smoke and fire. Replacing fire alarms costs much more.

By Cayla Mihalovich • July 27, 2026

A person wearing glasses, a red blazer, and a blue blouse stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone in front of a crowd during a press event.

Justice

California bill would let abuse victims use trauma as legal defense for violent crime

For the fourth year in a row, California lawmakers are weighing whether to give violent criminals the legal right to cite abuse in their legal defense.

By Ryan Sabalow • July 27, 2026

A low-angle view looks up at the ornate stone facade of the James R. Browning United States Courthouse, with decorative columns, carved architectural details and an American flag flying above the building.

Justice

Conviction tossed in $1 million Bay Area COVID fraud case over juror bias

Atilla Colar in 2023 was convicted on 44 felony charges related to an alleged COVID benefit fraud scheme at a Bay Area parolee rehabilitation program.

By Adam Ashton • July 23, 2026

A sign for the CoreCivic California City Immigration Processing Center stands outside the facility as a bus drives past in the background.

Justice

What the sale of 2 ICE detention centers reveals about Trump’s new immigration strategy

The Trump administration is trying to lock down immigration detention capacity in California despite opposition from the state's Democratic leaders.

By Wendy Fry and Nigel Duara • July 22, 2026

A view from behind of a detention center guard, wearing a blue and black uniform, leading a handcuffed incarcerated person, wearing an orange jumpsuit down a flight of stairs inside a detention building.

Justice

Judge demands immigrants at Adelanto get clean water and medical care

The ruling comes as scrutiny over the conditions inside immigrant detention centers in the Trump administration continues to mount.

By Wendy Fry and Sergio Olmos • July 16, 2026

An unidentifiable person's hand grips onto one of the green bars of a jail cell.

Justice

5 things to know about undercover police stings in California jails

The California Supreme Court is reviewing convictions that turned on undercover stings in jails known as Perkins operations. Critics say they go too far and risk false confessions.

By Cayla Mihalovich • July 15, 2026

An illustration in purple gradient tones depicting the silhouette of three people inside a jail cell. The person in the middle sits on a bench with their hand resting on their chin. The two other people stand facing the person sitting down with intimidating postures.

Justice

‘Psychological war’: Inside California’s expanding use of jailhouse stings

A deceptive law enforcement practice is proliferating across California jails. As it gains momentum, an increasing number of defendants say they were coerced into self-incrimination.

By Cayla Mihalovich • July 14, 2026

An illustration in orange and black tones depicting the silhouette of three people inside a jail cell. The person in the middle sits on a bench with their hand resting on their chin. The two other people stand facing the person sitting down with intimidating postures.

Justice

How we reported on undercover police operations in California jails

The California Supreme Court is reviewing convictions that turned on Perkins operations, which are stings orchestrated by police and prosecutors in jails.

By CalMatters Staff • July 14, 2026

A copy of the California Penal Code and Evidence Code sits on a courtroom desk beside a computer mouse.

Higher Education

Audit: State Bar missed warning signs before 2025 exam fiasco

The problems with an online California State Bar exam were so profound that test-takers at one point were able to see other people's answers.

By Adam Echelman • July 10, 2026