Criminal Justice

California police are making arrests after killings more often, a trend that could be contributing to the state's record-low homicide rate.

A new California law gives just more flexibility to keep defendants in jail rather than releasing them to community-based mental health treatment programs.

California disciplinary records show officers who used racist, sexist and anti-LGBTQ language often kept their jobs after agencies sustained misconduct findings.

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

Prisoners who are sexually assaulted by guards often face retaliation. A survivor argues the safest option is to release them from prison.

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.

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.

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.