Rights and Liberties

Bipartisan support building to curb “policing for profit”

Proponents of a measure to close a loophole that allows local law enforcement agencies to seize citizens’ property without a criminal conviction or even an arrest — a practice dubbed “policing for profit” — are moving behind the scenes to shore

CA Democrats challenge Lt. Governor Newsom on gun control

James Poulos May 8, 2016

Seeking to bolster his early-bird campaign for governor, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom forged ahead with a controversial ballot initiative designed to put severe strictures on guns in California. But in addition to raising the ire of Republicans statewide, Newsom

Judge rebuffs AG Harris on donor disclosures

James Poulos May 2, 2016

California Attorney General Kamala Harris lost a high-profile lawsuit over her attempt to obtain donor records from an organization in the orbit of the Koch brothers. Judging First Amendment protections to exceed what Harris had characterized as the confines of

Civil liberty groups demand Solano County court stop suspending licenses of drivers too poor to pay fines

Matt Fleming April 19, 2016

Solano County Superior Court fell under fire Tuesday from civil liberty groups demanding that judges stop suspending licenses of drivers without at least first determining if a driver has the ability to pay. By the end of 2015, more than 1.9 million Californians,

Judge rejects legalizing prostitution in CA

James Poulos April 11, 2016

A push by current and former sex workers in San Francisco to legalize prostitution has been rebuffed by a California judge. “Erotic Service Provider Legal, Education & Research Project — a San Francisco-based advocacy group — sued Attorney General Kamala Harris

Bill blocking law enforcement from seizing property without convictions nearing return

Matt Fleming April 11, 2016

Lawmakers and civil-liberty groups are ratcheting up public support for a bill that closes a loophole allowing local law enforcement agencies to seize citizens’ property without a criminal conviction — a practice dubbed “policing for profit.” Current California law already bars the practice

Federal oversight of U.S. security dominated by California lawmakers

James Poulos April 9, 2016

California lawmakers have emerged as pivotal players in the state’s struggle over cyberlaw — and the country’s. In Sacramento and Washington, D.C., elected officials have placed themselves at the forefront of disputes over the intersection of technology and national security,

Assisted suicide gets CA start date

James Poulos March 18, 2016

Beginning June 9, at least some terminally ill Californians seeking to end their own lives will be able to do just that. Because the law took effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourned, its special session pushed the start date into

Silicon Valley defends Apple as FBI continues to pressure tech giant

James Poulos March 14, 2016

With neither side willing to back down, the confrontation between Apple and the FBI over the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone has transformed into a pivotal conflict between the tech industry and the federal government. Scores of companies threw their weight behind Apple’s effort

Parental privacy panic pays off as judge changes mind

Chris Reed March 8, 2016

A lawsuit over how the disabled are treated in California schools triggered a parental panic attack after a federal judge ordered that a database with records on every public school student in the Golden State since 2008 be given to