Vanguard social justice articles involving criminal justice reform
After spending nearly 44 years in prison for a 1981 murder conviction, Guy Scott was released after a judge reduced his conviction to manslaughter due to prosecutorial misconduct and the concealment of critical evidence.
On Constitution Day, we must fight to uphold our rights and preserve the rule of law, as the fundamental pillars of our democracy are under assault by military crackdowns, silencing dissent, and the Trump administration’s rejection of political pluralism and attempts to corrupt justice.
One hundred retired California judges issued a Declaration of Judicial Independence on Constitution Day, warning that attacks on the judiciary threaten democracy and the rule of law, and pledging to speak out against such attacks.
At UC Berkeley School of Law, a documentary film screening and panel discussion explored the intersections of childhood trauma, incarceration, and the possibilities of healing, emphasizing the power of narrative in reshaping justice policy.
AB 1376, which would end endless probation for youth in California, has the potential to give them more of a voice in their personal situation and allow them to move forward, rather than being stuck in a revolving door of the juvenile justice system.
Pamela Price Unfiltered features an interview with Robert “Fleetwood” Bowden, an author, rap artist, filmmaker, activist, and founder of Homeboy Hotline, discussing his journey from incarceration to becoming a voice for the marginalized, as well as two pressing political issues.
The ACLU of Kansas is urging lawmakers to expand the use of no-cash bail, arguing that the current system unfairly punishes low-income communities, while President Donald Trump is pushing for a nationwide ban on cashless bail.
The Federal Prison Oversight Act was passed to increase transparency and accountability in the nation’s largest prison system, giving the DOJ inspector general new authority to inspect federal prisons and allowing for an independent party to investigate claims made by incarcerated people, their families and prison staff.
The U.S. Supreme Court will consider whether to hear Pitchford v. Cain, a case raising allegations of racial discrimination in jury selection, which echoes the Court’s 2019 ruling in Flowers v. Mississippi and could have far-reaching implications for the enforcement of equal protection in jury selection.
Nearly 15,000 individuals and over 100 organizations are urging the FCC to reinstate caps on prison phone rates after the agency suspended protections earlier this summer.
Inna Braverman, CEO of Eco Wave Power, led the groundbreaking ribbon cutting event for the first ocean wave energy port in the USA, supported by GEMS, demonstrating the power of women’s leadership in the clean energy industry and inspiring the next generation of female entrepreneurs.
The Ella Hill Hutch Community Center, a symbol of Black resilience and a safe haven for the Fillmore District, is under threat of closure due to developers and budget cuts, but community leaders and activists are determined to protect it.
After years of delays, the case of Steven Taylor’s killing is back before Alameda County prosecutors, with his family and supporters demanding that former San Leandro police officer Jason Fletcher face trial as scheduled, while his attorney presses for the case to be dismissed.
A federal district court has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Department of Homeland Security from assaulting or retaliating against journalists, legal observers and protesters in Southern California, affirming the First Amendment rights of those documenting and protesting violent immigration raids.
SB 485, authored by Assemblymember Eloise Reyes, has passed the Legislature and now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom, establishing new protections to ensure that Chief Public Defenders cannot be removed from their posts without cause.
Fair and Just Prosecution (FJP) has filed an amicus brief in Johnson v. Superintendent, Mahanoy SCI, calling for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to rehear a decision that restricts prosecutors’ ability to exercise discretion and pursue justice when confronted with an unjust conviction.
Los Angeles attorney Aaron Spolin has been disbarred by the California Supreme Court for exploiting incarcerated clients and their families by charging excessive legal fees and misleading them about their potential for release under Assembly Bill 2942.
Supporters of Missouri death row man Lance Shockley are urging Gov. Mike Kehoe to grant clemency, citing his leadership in rehabilitation programs inside Potosi Correctional Center and his commitment to helping others change their lives for the better.
John Grisham’s upcoming book, SHAKEN, will explore the wrongful conviction of Texas death row prisoner Robert Roberson, who was convicted of killing his daughter based on the discredited “Shaken Baby Syndrome” hypothesis.
Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking, urged California Governor Gavin Newsom to commute all 565 death sentences in the state, citing racial injustice and the potential for rehabilitation of those on death row.