Criminal Justice

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill that seals certain criminal records. The new law could reduce recidivism and help millions of past offenders secure a job or housing.

Unlike the U.S. Supreme Court, California’s highest court is more obscure and rarely issues polarizing opinions.

Some prosecutors say that may change. They are partnering with the state on more wage cases or forming special units to pursue labor abuses as crimes. A new felony law could help, they say.

In an hour-long interview with CalMatters, Attorney General Rob Bonta talks about rising crime, affordable housing, concealed guns and other priorities if he wins a full term.

If this week is any indication, Attorney General Rob Bonta is on a mission. On Wednesday, he announced that his office would conduct an independent investigation into last year’s redistricting in the city of Los Angeles following the explosive publication of a secretly recorded meeting in which three city council members and an influential labor […]

Jail should not punish people just for using drugs; lengthy incarceration won’t help. Rather, we must use the criminal justice system strategically to promote behavioral change in people whose drug use threatens public safety.

Gov. Gavin Newsom rejected legislation that would have made the nation’s most wide-ranging changes to solitary confinement.

Black Californians could be due hundreds of thousands of dollars for housing discrimination, incarceration, and health disparities alone, consultants said at reparations task force hearings.

I’m back from a lovely vacation! Many thanks to my wonderful colleague Ben Christopher and other CalMatters reporters for guest hosting the newsletter while I was gone. Gov. Gavin Newsom has until midnight Friday to determine the fate of the more than 550 bills on his desk — or risk turning into a pumpkin. That […]

A bill before Gov. Gavin Newsom would force prosecutors to seek a judge’s approval to introduce rap lyrics to a jury.