Criminal Justice

If you’re accused of a crime, will someone investigate your side of the story? In California, there’s no guarantee.

A recent California law raises the standard for when prosecutors can charge accomplices to killings with felony murder. A case testing that law recently reached the state supreme court.

California prisons will make more use of canine searches on visitors and staff as they attempt to stem the flow of drugs and other contraband among the incarcerated population.

Evidence of racial bias in jury selection led Alameda County to review dozens of death penalty cases. A new district attorney is withdrawing from that effort.

A state report provided to CalMatters says 200 agencies reported no automation around sensitive decisions. Some called the report befuddling.

California's experiment with increasing pay for jury duty would come to an early end under the new budget Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking lawmakers to approve.

California’s falling incarcerated population has allowed Gov. Gavin Newsom to close four state prisons. Now he’s calling for a fifth.

Records obtained and analyzed by CalMatters offer the first glimpse into what happened to some of the former prisoners after state leaders chose to shrink a prison population imperiled by the pandemic.

Earthquakes, wildfires and floods all could cause problems for California prisons. A new audit says they aren't ready to quickly evacuate prisoners.

Inmate firefighters say their criminal records make it hard to get a regular firefighting job once they're out. This bill can smooth the way.