Criminal Justice & Policing
The criminal justice system should be fair and free of bias, respect the dignity and rights of all who come into contact with it, and centered on community-based solutions that prioritize rehabilitation and supportive services over punishment.
We fight for protections against law enforcement violence and abuse and for investments that keep us safe through community-led interventions, services and resources.
We advocate for reforms to the criminal legal system, including pretrial, sentencing, and parole reforms, ending the death penalty and other extreme sentences, ensuring strong indigent defense systems, and ensuring that police and prosecutors are accountable to the communities that they serve.
Criminal Justice & Policing Legislation
Californians Deserve Real Solutions to Police Dog Violence, not AB 400’s Smoke and Mirrors (AB 400)
Criminal Justice & Policing, Racial and Economic Justice
Despite what law enforcement tells us, public records from the past few years show that out of the hundreds of Californians who were disfigured by attack dogs, most were unarmed, about half exhibited signs of …
Stop Sheriff Departments from Hiding Misconduct from Oversight Bodies (AB 847)
Criminal Justice & Policing, Democracy & Civic Engagement, Racial and Economic Justice
Counties throughout California have established Civilian Oversight Commissions and Inspector General Offices to ensure public accountability of Sheriff Departments. However, this much-needed oversight has been made difficult by law enforcement agencies and well-funded police associations …
Ending Flat-fee Public Defense Contracts (AB 690)
Criminal Justice & Policing
Twenty-four of California’s 58 counties do not have their own public defender – these counties rely on contracts with private attorneys to represent people accused of crimes. These contracts give attorneys a predetermined flat fee …
Banning Police Misconduct Nondisclosure Agreements (AB 1388)
Criminal Justice & Policing, Democracy & Civic Engagement
For years, California police departments have routinely found clear evidence of wrongdoing by their officers, but instead of firing them, they grant the officer complete secrecy over their misconduct in exchange for the officer’s resignation. …
End Slavery in California (ACA 8 / Prop 6)
Criminal Justice & Policing, Racial and Economic Justice
Prop 6 makes every community safer by prioritizing rehabilitation for those who are incarcerated in California. Rehabilitation has been proven to not only reduce recidivism, but also to reduce wasteful taxpayer spending. Visit the Prop …
Restore Voting Rights in Prison (ACA 4)
Criminal Justice & Policing, Democracy & Civic Engagement, Racial and Economic Justice
Our democracy is rooted in the idea that everyone’s voice matters. Right now, though, over 120,000 Californians in prison are banned from voting in local, state, or federal elections. It’s time we join Vermont, Maine, …