Criminal Law Reform
The criminal legal system is rooted in slavery. This legacy has created an epidemic of mass incarceration. The ACLU of Northern California works to end unjust laws and policies that unfairly and disproportionately prosecute and imprison Black and Brown people. We advocate for criminal law reform that keeps communities safe and respects the rights of all Californians.
The Latest
ACLU Organizers Take Aim at Racially Biased Police Stops in Sacramento
Pretext stops can unjustly funnel people into the criminal justice and immigration enforcement pipeline.
City of Vallejo Releases Sanitized Report On Police Officers' Badge-Bending Ritual
Vallejo officials hid evidence of police misconduct from public for years
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
California Supreme Court Orders Historic Challenge to Death Penalty to Move Forward
The order recognizes the compelling evidence establishing that California’s death penalty is administered in a racially discriminatory manner.
Court Cases:
Office of State Public Defender et al. v. Bonta
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