Motion to Compel or Dismiss in response to document dump from prosecution without meaningful description of files

Explore the mechanisms that incentivize police to engage in pretextual traffic stops and examine state and local efforts to stop law enforcement from enforcing minor traffic infractions.

22^nd Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference
August 16-17, 2023 | Held Virtually

State and local law enforcement agencies are employing dystopian technology like face recognition, drone cameras and predictive policing programs to investigate, charge and prosecute people. These powerful tools are criminalizing communities, often with little transparency of how they were acquired and how they are used. Learn how to uncover and confront these technologies at the state and local level.

NACDL's 19th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference
August 17-19, 2020 | Held Virtually

Ending mass incarceration will require changing sentencing policies and practices. But where are we now and what impact will COVID-19 have? Learn about varies state sentencing reform efforts, as well as release options during the COVID-19 pandemic and what states can do moving forward as a result of the pandemic.

NACDL's 19th Annual State Criminal Justice Network Conference
August 17-19, 2020 | Held Virtually

First Vice President and former NACDL Ethics Advisory Committee chair John Wesley Hall's testimony on Focus Questions 1-3 and Focus Question 1(4) to the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice for their consideration.

According to California’s Supreme Court, California is one of nine states where the state Supreme Court has recognized that “the decision to have an abortion raises at least two fundamental rights of the [pregnant person]: the right to life and the right to choose whether to bear children.” People v. Barksdale, 8 Cal. 3d 320, 326, 503 P.2d 257, 261, 105 Cal. Rptr. 1, 5 (1972).

NACDL is providing resources regarding the Criminalization of Pregnancy and Reproductive Health to the criminal defense community. Resources are provided without warranty or guarantee. Please consult the laws and rules of your state and local authorities. Please log in to access them. Membership is NOT required.

Public defense issues and developments in California

RG20062694 (Ca. Sup.)

NACDL, et al. filed a class action lawsuit seeking release of medically vulnerable individuals from Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County, Calif.  The lawsuit seeks to compel Alameda County Sheriff Gregory Ahern to release all medically vulnerable people in custody at Santa Rita or in rare circumstances transfer them to home confinement.

S261827 (Cal. Sup. Ct.)

NACDL, et al., filed a Petition for Writ of Mandate Seeking the Immediate and Significant Reduction of County Jail and Juvenile Facility Populations Across the State of California. As explained in the petition, the conditions in these facilities constitute violations of the U.S. Constitution’s Eighth Amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment as well as violations of individuals’ Due Process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment, in addition to violations of the California Constitution and other state and federal laws.

See the various issues on which NACDL has conducted criminal justice advocacy in California. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see active legislation in California that NACDL is tracking. 

NACDL continues to oppose the use of face surveillance in California.

NACDL supports legislation to expand opportunities for diversion from the criminal legal system. 

Letter to the California Assembly Public Safety Committee in support of Senate Bill 1021, which would allow individuals convicted of certain first-time misdemeanor DUI offenses to be granted diversion.

Letter to Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.