Criminal Justice

Commentary

Property crimes are taking a toll on California businesses. Lawmakers need to step up

The increase of property crimes in California hurts not just businesses but workers and customers alike. A manager from Southern California says state policymakers need to step up and enact solutions that bolster security and ensure public safety.

By Guest Commentary • August 23, 2023

Justice

California police body camera footage can’t take the place of witness testimony, court rules

More California police departments are deploying body cameras. A new court ruling restricts how prosecutors can use footage of witness accounts at trial.

By Nigel Duara • August 17, 2023

Commentary

Legislature is avoiding key issues, including worsening California fire insurance crisis

The Legislature has returned to Sacramento for the final month of its 2023 session but will adjourn without acting on several major issues, including a crisis in fire insurance availability.

By Dan Walters • August 16, 2023

Politics

This L.A. Democrat is a ‘New Testament kind of guy’ — and one of California’s most powerful voices on criminal justice

As the California Legislature reconvenes for the final five weeks of its session, the leader of the Assembly Public Safety Committee is under the spotlight. But Reggie Jones-Sawyer isn’t backing down.

By Alexei Koseff • August 14, 2023

California Divide

Waiting game: Asylum seekers at California border at more risk during court fight

The Biden administration’s app rule makes it harder for migrants to assert a right to asylum, advocates say. Lawsuits are sparking debate about immigration control, safety.

By Wendy Fry • August 7, 2023

WhatMatters

CA opioid epidemic: How we got here

With a death toll of more than 7,000 Californians in 2021, the opioid epidemic has become one of the state’s most vexing issues. The Legislature is considering several minor bills related to fentanyl — including creating an anti-fentanyl-abuse task force and increasing fines for dealers — but Republican lawmakers voice frustration that the state isn’t […]

By Lynn La • July 25, 2023

Justice

California Democrats resisted a child trafficking bill — until they couldn’t

California lawmakers tried nine times to stiffen penalties for trafficking of a minor. The latest effort appeared to die — until a social media campaign forced Democrats to reconsider.

By Nigel Duara and Anabel Sosa • July 14, 2023

Justice

California spent $600 million to house and rehab former prisoners — but can’t say whether it helped

A $100 million-a-year rehabilitation program for former California prisoners grew with little oversight from the state corrections agency. It's unclear how many parolees wind up back in prison.

By Byrhonda Lyons • July 10, 2023

WhatMatters

Is California parole program worth $100 million a year?

California has spent more than $600 million over the past decade to house and rehabilitate parolees in the state’s single-largest reentry program for former prisoners. After all that money, state officials can’t say whether those services were effective in preventing future crime. That’s because the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has not tracked whether […]

By Lynn La • July 10, 2023

Commentary

Annual crime report shows Californians’ fear of increasing crime is justified

Very quietly, California's Department of Justice released its annual report on crime, revealing that violent and property crimes spiked in 2022.

By Dan Walters • July 9, 2023