Criminal Justice Reforms
Nijmeddin v. Superior Court: Court Erred in Denying Compassionate Release
In 2015, petitioner Adnan Judeh Nijmeddin was convicted of murder, attempted voluntary manslaughter, assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of narcotics. He was subsequently sentenced to an indeterminate life term. In February 2023, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation recommended that the trial court recall Nijmeddin’s sentence under the new compassionate release provisions. Assembly Bill 960 Under Assembly Bill 960, which became effective in 2023, Section 1172.2 was added…
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HOME Act Would Protect Immigrants Freed Under Criminal Justice Reforms
AB 1306, also known as the HOME Act, seeks to protect immigrants by preventing California prisons from handing them over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) upon their release. Continue reading to learn how the HOME Act would change existing laws regarding immigrants in the criminal justice system. Existing Law’s Effects on Immigrants Under existing California law, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is required to cooperate with the…
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Failed Bid to Recall LA District Attorney Is a Win for Criminal Justice Reform
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón took office in December of 2020. Since then, he has faced two recall bids, both of which have been unsuccessful at removing him from office. Recently, he defended his policies against critics who deem him to be too soft on crime and stated that he would continue working to reform the criminal justice system. Gascón’s Policies on Crime Gascón, who was formerly a top…
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California Voters to Decide Fate of Criminal Justice Reforms
Over the past few years, California voters and lawmakers have passed legislation aimed to reduce the prison population and focus on rehabilitation over incarceration. In 2014, voters approved Proposition 47, which lessened the punishment for several drug and property crimes. Two years later, voters passed Proposition 57, which allows inmates convicted of nonviolent crimes to apply for early release and participate in rehabilitation programs. However, critics say that criminal justice…
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