California: Legislature Adopts a Flurry of Reforms, but Voting Rights Wait for 2020
By Daniel Nichanian Before adjourning for the year on Friday, California’s legislature passed a series of reforms…
Bill to Repeal One-Year Sentence Enhancement Passes Assembly
Senate Bill 136 repeals a commonly used, expensive, and ineffective one-year sentence enhancement that is added to…
Legislature Passes Criminal Justice Reform Bills
California Legislature OKs SB 310, ‘The Right to a Jury of Your Peers’ (From Press Release –…
California Supreme Court Decision Major Ruling on Transparency of Police Misconduct
One of the big questions is the prosecutor’s constitutional duty to disclose evidence to criminal defendants and…
In Liberal California, a Crusader against Criminal Justice Reform
Assemblymember Jim Cooper is pushing to roll back changes that have successfully reduced incarceration. by Jessica Pishko…
SF Judge Grants 1437 Petition, Two Men Expected to Be Released upon Re-Sentencing
San Francisco – In what is believed to be the first of its kind, San Francisco County…
Guest Commentary: Reform of Felony Murder Rule Critical To Criminal Justice Reform
By Nancy Skinner and Joel Anderson In January, California ended a decades-old legal doctrine that put numerous…
AG’s Office Argues SB 1437 is Constitutional in Opposition Brief in Appellate Case
Across the state there has been a battle over the constitutionality of SB 1437. The bill became…
New ‘Restorative Justice’ Program Promises to Reduce Crime, Save Taxpayers Money
By Crescenzo Vellucci Vanguard Sacramento Bureau SACRAMENTO – It was, no doubt, an unusual State Capitol press…
Legislation to End Discrimination against LGBTQ People Regarding Sex Offender Registry Passes Assembly Committee
L Sponsored by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and Equality California, SB 145 puts a stop to LGBTQ…
Use of Force Bill Can’t Come Soon Enough – Families Report Teens ‘Terrorized’ by Police
By Crescenzo Vellucci Vanguard Sacramento Bureau SACRAMENTO – The State Legislature sent controversial “use of force” legislation…
Use-of-Force Reform Bill Moves to Governor’s Desk
AB 392 passed by Senate on a bipartisan vote The California State Senate passed landmark legislation restricting…
Resolution Would Designate Officer Natalie Corona Memorial Highway Passes Legislature
(From Press Release) – Today, Assembly Concurrent Resolution 66, authored by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), cleared its…
Landmark Police Transparency Law Requiring the Release of Body Camera Footage Begins July 1
(From Press Release) – Effective July 1, 2019, California law enforcement must release body camera footage within…
Last CA Inmates from Out-of-State, For-Profit, Private Prisons Return
(from Press Release) – Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) today welcomed news of the return of the last…
Peace Officer Lethal Use of Force Bill Passes Key Senate Committee with No Opposition
By Crescenzo Vellucci Vanguard Sacramento Bureau SACRAMENTO – Landmark legislation to reduce the number of civilian killings…
Commentary: Did Democrats Sell Out on Police Use of Force?
Reaction to the compromise of AB 392, the police use-of-force bill co-authored by Shirley Weber and Kevin…
Not Perfect, but Cop Deadly Use of Force Measure Gets OK by Assembly
By Crescenzo Vellucci Vanguard Sacramento Bureau SACRAMENTO – A controversial measure to restrict the use of deadly…
Plan to Repeal Unnecessary One-Year Enhancements on Sentences Approved by Senate
SB 136 repeals a commonly used and expensive one-year sentence enhancement that is added to each prior prison or…
California Assembly Approves Eliminating Co-Pays in Prisons and Jails
(From Press Release) – Today, California’s Assembly passed Assembly Bill 45, authored by Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey…
