Criminal Justice

Reader Reactions

California attorney general should resolve lagging police cases before pursuing bid for governor

The California Justice Department is struggling to complete dozens of investigations into police shootings required under a 2020 law. A mother of one victim questions the intent of the law and what Bonta's handling of it means for his rumored aspirations for higher office.

By Guest Commentary • June 2, 2023

Justice

This California town was already dying. Then the state moved to close its prison

California is unwinding the prison-building boom of the 1980s and 1990s. The cuts are falling on small towns that banked on government jobs to anchor their communities.

By Nigel Duara • May 30, 2023

Justice

California promised a fair review of her son’s death by police. Now she’s asking them to drop it

A 2021 state law took investigations into California police shootings out of the hands of local cops. Now, some families say the new system is agonizing in its own way.

By Nigel Duara • May 17, 2023

Commentary

Abused children in California foster care, welfare systems should not be imprisoned for self-defense

A legislative proposal, Senate Bill 545, would prevent victimized children in foster care or the child welfare system from being tried as an adult if they commit a violent crime against their abuser. Two survivors say the bill provides overdue recognition of a systemic failure to protect vulnerable youth.

By Guest Commentary • May 8, 2023

California Divide

California reparations task force to recommend ‘down payments’ for slavery, racism 

The reparations task force meets Saturday in Oakland. It may vote to recommend a state apology and payments to African Americans based on years living in state.

By Wendy Fry • May 1, 2023

Commentary

Why close Chuckawalla prison when Riverside County doesn’t want the California Rehabilitation Center?

As Gov. Gavin Newsom moves to close at least four California prisons, local officials and state legislators are trying to convince the governor to keep Chuckawalla Valley State Prison open and instead shutter the California Rehabilitation Center in Riverside County.

By Guest Commentary • May 1, 2023

Commentary

California criminal justice system has a long way to go if Newsom wants to model Norway

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to transform San Quentin State Prison by modeling the prison system in Norway. But changing one facility will not accomplish the sort of wholesale reforms required to mirror the Norwegian criminal justice system.

By Guest Commentary • April 28, 2023

Justice

A California law forced police to release shooting footage. Now videos follow the same script

California law requires law enforcement agencies to release body cam footage of police shootings. Many departments shape those images into stories they want to tell.

By Nigel Duara • April 10, 2023

WhatMatters

Police videos don’t always tell the whole story

In response to calls for greater police accountability, California passed laws to make police misconduct records more accessible to the public and placed the state Attorney General’s office in charge of investigating police killings of unarmed civilians. Following the 2018 Sacramento police shooting of Stephon Clark, who was unarmed, lawmakers now require law enforcement agencies […]

By Lynn La • April 10, 2023

California Divide

California bill would fund deportation defense for all immigrants, including those with felonies

The state already pays some legal bills in immigration court – but not for those with serious or violent felony records. If they can’t afford a lawyer, they face deportation alone. Assembly member Reggie Jones-Sawyer says that’s not due process.

By Wendy Fry • March 16, 2023