Watch: San Joaquin Justice Fair

1200 attendees. 150 volunteers. 560 free attorney and rap sheet appointments for record change. That’s what criminal justice reform in action looks like.

Second Chances and Systems Change, How Proposition 47 is Changing California

Second Chances and Systems Change, How Proposition 47 is Changing California “I had to be honest with myself and take responsibility for the part that I played and break the cycle.” – Ingrid Archie In August of 2015, Ingrid Archie was released from state prison after petitioning the court for resentencing under Proposition 47.  With support […]

Understanding County Budgeting After Proposition 47

Our New Toolkit is Here! Understanding County Budgeting After Proposition 47 California is in the midst of major changes in criminal justice: policy shifts have been reducing over-incarceration at both the state and local level. These changes impact more than the number of people incarcerated – they also open up an opportunity to rethink spending. […]

Helping Immigrant Clients With Proposition 47 and Other Post-Conviction Legal Options

When an immigrant commits a crime, they are held accountable just like other Californians, but criminal convictions — even for low-level, nonviolent crimes — can have far more long-term consequences for immigrants than for citizens. In fact, in terms of public safety, it is important to consider the long-term impact of destabilizing families when someone is deported due to contact with the criminal justice system. Immigration Tool Kit

Appendix

How to Organize a Record Change Clinic

As you know, Proposition 47 brought an unprecedented opportunity to Californians: the law changed six nonviolent crimes from felonies to misdemeanors – and it allows anyone in the state that has one of these felonies on their old criminal records to remove the felony and the barriers it presents.

In California, there are more than 4,000 legal restrictions on people with felony convictions, restrictions that prevent employment, housing, and more. Proposition 47 gives hundreds of thousands of Californians a chance at stability and dignity. How to Organize a Record Change Toolkit

Prop. 47 Excludable Offenses

LIST OF EXCLUDABLE OFFENSES (non-exclusive list)

Getting a Legal Partner

Although no attorney is required to file for a record change (Reclassification), it is good practice to have a lawyer or law student help review the forms to ensure that they are filled out correctly. Additionally, individuals eligible for Reclassification under Proposition 47 may also be entitled to other forms of assistance. Partnering with a […]

Changing Your Record: Reclassification Instructions

STEP 1: GET A COPY OF YOUR CRIMINAL RECORD You will need a copy of your “Rap Sheet” (criminal record) to determine that you are eligible and have no excluding offenses. If your conviction(s) are from one county, visit the Superior Court where you were convicted and obtain your record. If your conviction(s) are from […]

Proposition 47 Overview

On November 4, 2014, California voters passed Proposition 47, a law that changes certain low-level crimes like drug possession and petty theft offenses from potential felonies to misdemeanors. This will reduce incarceration costs, and those savings will be invested (via grants) into drug treatment and mental health services for people in the criminal justice system, […]

Prop 47 & Immigration

This webinar will go over the impact of crime on Latinos, an overview of Prop 47, and opportunities for involvement in aiding immigrants with prop 47 record changes.