Law Enforcement

Gov. Brown again surprises with veto on campus sex misconduct bill

Responding to deep concerns about sexual violence at California’s college campuses, the state Legislature unanimously passed two bills in recent weeks. But Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed one of the measures, the second straight year he has surprised advocates of a

Report: Crime rates stable after state’s passage of sentencing reforms

Steven Greenhut November 1, 2017

SACRAMENTO – To deal with federal court orders demanding a reduction in prison populations, California officials – and state voters, via initiative – passed a series of sentencing reforms over the past seven years that have reduced overcrowding from 181

New laws require more storing, reporting of rape kits – but not more testing

Chris Reed October 23, 2017

Gov. Jerry Brown’s signing of three bills relating to rape kits – the physical evidence gathered from individuals in lengthy examinations after reports of sexual – was hailed by women’s rights groups as a major step forward in bringing justice to rape

Bold criminal justice reforms go nowhere in California Legislature

Chris Reed September 27, 2017

The 2017 session of the California Legislature may be remembered as when the criminal justice reform movement in America’s largest state lost its momentum. The movement entered the session with a head of steam after winning majority support from the

Thousands of California inmates could go free

James Poulos April 3, 2017

Nearly 10,000 inmates could leave California prisons within four years, another consequence of the state’s long struggle with the judicial system over the way it incarcerates convicts. “As the state prison population comes close to exceeding a court-mandated limit, the

California lawmakers propose relief for criminal juveniles

James Poulos March 24, 2017

In a fresh bid to reform California’s criminal justice system, Sacramento lawmakers have begun to advance several bills, many aimed at softening juvenile punishment. “Democratic state senators Holly Mitchell of Los Angeles and Ricardo Lara of Bell Gardens are proposing four bills

California prison reform laws under fire in aftermath suspected gang member’s murder of Whittier cop

Drew Gregory Lynch March 3, 2017

After the killing of a Whittier police officer by a man with suspected gang ties, new focus is being drawn onto California Assembly Bill 109 – legislation signed into law by Gov. Brown in 2011 that critics say illustrates the danger of

5 ways Donald Trump could block legal marijuana in California

Chris Reed February 27, 2017

The Trump administration has made clear that it will not look the other way when it comes to de facto state legalization of marijuana, as the Obama administration did. Instead, White House press secretary Sean Spicer last week said the

Federal uncertainty, local opposition hang over Proposition 64

Chris Reed February 22, 2017

Proposition 64’s easy passage Nov. 8 was assured in part by promises to voters that the state government was up to the challenge of regulating and overseeing marijuana’s legalization in California. But three months since Prop. 64’s landslide victory, critics

California sees new ICE raids and immigration arrests

James Poulos February 21, 2017

New Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids have rolled out across Southern California, roiling state officials and triggering rumors of broader actions. But though the Trump administration has focused on expanding the scope and strength of enforcement, the current raids trace back