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The efficacy of prosecutor-led, adult diversion for misdemeanor offenses

Criminal records can produce collateral consequences that affect access to employment, housing, and other outcomes. Adverse collateral consequences may be particularly acute for adults with limited professional capital and social networks. In recent …

Judges on the Benchmark

Judges receive limited information on how their sentencing practices contribute to inter-judge sentencing disparities which can undermine equity and the perceptions of legitimacy in the criminal justice system. Internal benchmarking methods like the …

Low-Touch, Misdemeanor Diversion Programs with Record Expungement Reduce Reconviction Rates

Prosecutor-initiated diversion programs offer an alternative to traditional procedures. These programs provide a second-chance opportunity to defendants, increasing the number of people exiting the criminal justice system without a record. But if …

Realignment and Recidivism in California

California has experienced significant changes in its criminal justice landscape since the 2011 implementation of public safety realignment—which shifted the management of lower-level offenders from the state prison and parole system to county jail …

California Probationin the Era of Reform

Recent reforms significantly altered the role of probation in California. In 2011, the state enacted public safety realignment, which shifted the management of lower-level felons from state prison and parole to county jail and probation. As part of …

Pretrial Release in California

To further reduce reliance on incarceration without compromising public safety, state policymakers are currently considering reforming California’s pretrial system. Key questions for reform include whether the state holds too many defendants in jail …