Courts in Los Angeles and Riverside counties are testing an artificial intelligence tool and deciding whether it can be used in high-stakes criminal cases.
Cayla Mihalovich / CalMatters
California Democrats have new plans for confronting ICE: Taxes, lawsuits and location bans
The California Senate passed a bill that would make it easier to sue federal officers over civil rights violations. Recent shootings of civilians by immigration agents in Minnesota lent urgency to the measure, one of several targeting ICE.
Newsom closed 4 prisons and trimmed payroll. Corrections spending is still over budget
California’s $17.5 billion prison system is over budget, contributing to a projected state deficit. Some groups want Gov. Gavin Newsom to close more prisons.
Anti-slavery measure Prop 6 fails, allowing forced labor to continue in California prisons
Other states, including Nevada, are deleting references to slavery in their constitutions and banning forced prison labor. California voters rejected that path when they turned down Proposition 6.
California ballot measure promises ‘mass treatment’ for drug crimes. Can counties provide it?
Proposition 36 pledges to send more people convicted of drug possession to treatment instead of prison. Behavioral health directors say that’s easier said than done with workforce shortages across California.

