Understanding the Courts Expungment Packet

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Understanding the Courts Expungment Packet Sacramento County Public Law Library & Civil Self Help Center 609 9th St. Sacramento, CA 95814 saclaw.org (916) 874-6012 >> Home >> Law 101 Solicitar esta EXPUNGING CRIMINAL RECORDS guía en Understanding the Sacramento español Superior Court’s Expungement Packet In Sacramento, to petition the court to have a conviction dismissed/expunged, download the instructional packet, including forms, from the Sacramento Superior Courts website: www.saccourt.ca.gov/criminal/docs/1203-4-dismissal-process.pdf FOR MORE INFORMATION Free Video! On the Web: Criminal Records Expungement Video California Courts Self Help Website • saclaw.org/video-library/expunging- www.courts.ca.gov/1070.htm conviction/ This website includes a section with information and instructions on cleaning up your criminal record. This video is a joint project of the Sacramento County Public Law Library and formally the At the Law Library: Voluntary Legal Services Program. It explains How to Seal Your Juvenile and Criminal Records how to ask the court to dismiss your in California convictions and expunge your record. KFC 1194 .Z9 S53 (Self-Help) Have your criminal record and blank forms California Criminal Defense Practice ready before viewing the video. KFC 1155 .C342 Chap. 103 Electronic Access: On the Law Library’s computers, Note: The forms referred to in this video have been updated since it was recorded. However, the using Lexis. information in the video may still be helpful for California Criminal Law Procedure and Practice those trying to expunge their own record. Make KFC 1155 .C35 Chap. 4 sure you are using the most updated forms Electronic Access: On the Law Library’s computers, included in the Sacramento Superior Court Criminal (Expungement) Dismissal Process guide. using OnLaw. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS GUIDE, OR IF YOU NEED HELP FINDING OR USING THE MATERIALS LISTED, DON’T HESITATE TO ASK A REFERENCE LIBRARIAN. H:Public/LRG-SBS/SBSs/expungement rmm 08/2021 Disclaimer: This Guide is intended as general information only. Your case may have factors requiring different procedures or forms. The information and instructions are provided for use in Sacramento County. Please keep in mind that each county may have different requirements. If you need further assistance consult a lawyer. saclaw.org Understanding Sac Court’s Expungement Packet >>Home >>Law 101 Your name, address, and phone number. “In Pro Per” means you are representing yourself. Case number for the conviction you are trying to expunge and birthdate Your name Date of conviction Check box for defendant Code and Section you were convicted of violating Either check if reducing to a misdemeanor per 17b , terminating probation per PC 1203.3. Paul Sample Paul Sample Sign date, and print name 2 www.saclaw.org/expungement-guide saclaw.org Understanding Sac Court’s Expungement Packet >>Home >>Law 101 Your name, address, phone number, and email. Provide birthdate and driver’s license number. Include your, name followed by “In Pro Per”, Case number for the conviction which means you are representing yourself. you are trying to expunge. Date of conviction Check the box stating you are the defendant in the case. Describe nature of offense Code and Section you were convicted of violating. If your offense was a felony, but could have been charged as a misdemeanor, or an infraction check Yes to indicate it may be reduced under PC § 17b or PC § 17(d)(2) If probation was ordered in your case, check the box next to 2. Then check box a, b, or c, depending on which best describes your situation. If probation was not ordered in your case, check the box next to 3. Check box a if you have not been charged or convicted of a crime since this case. Check box b if you have had subsequent criminal cases, and attach a declaration explaining why this expungement is in the interests of justice. 3 www.saclaw.org/expungement-guide saclaw.org Understanding Sac Court’s Expungement Packet >>Home >>Law 101 Your name and case number If you have successfully completed the California Conservation Camp Program or county incarcerated individual hand crew under PC 1203.4b. Select A or B and select C. Provide the information about the fire camp. Select 5 if your conviction was the result of your status as a victim of human trafficking. If you only were sentenced to state prison, yet you served time only in a county jail, then you will be eligible to have your record expunged under PC 1203.41. If you were sentenced prior to the 2011 Realignment Legislation, per PC 1203.42. 4 www.saclaw.org/expungement-guide saclaw.org Understanding Sac Court’s Expungement Packet Your name and case number >>Home >>Law 101 If you performed satisfactorily during the period in which deferred entry of judgment was granted and can establish dismissal was granted under PC 1000.3. Include the date of the dismissal. Check 9, 10, or 11 as it applies to the situation. It should match your previous answers. Paul Sample Sign, Date and Complete Address information 5 www.saclaw.org/expungement-guide saclaw.org Understanding Sac Court’s Expungement Packet >>Home >>Law 101 Your name, address, phone number, and email. Your name followed by “In Pro Per” means you are Case number for the conviction representing yourself. you are trying to expunge LEAVE THE REST OF THIS FORM BLANK! The judge will complete this form after reviewing your petition. 6 www.saclaw.org/expungement-guide saclaw.org Understanding Sac Court’s Expungement Packet >>Home >>Law 101 Your name and case number LEAVE THE REST OF THIS FORM BLANK! The judge will complete this form after reviewing your petition. 7 www.saclaw.org/expungement-guide saclaw.org Understanding Sac Court’s Expungement Packet >>Home >>Law 101 Your name and case number LEAVE THE REST OF THIS FORM BLANK! The judge will complete this form after reviewing your petition. 8 www.saclaw.org/expungement-guide saclaw.org Understanding Sac Court’s Expungement Packet >>Home >>Law 101 Parties in the original case Case number for the conviction you are trying to expunge In your own words, tell the court why you want to expunge your conviction. Consider including information like: • Your plans for the future; • The reasons you offended, and how your life is different today than it was when you offended; • How the conviction has hurt your employment chances; • If you have received any training or education since your conviction; • Any occurrence in your life that changed how you interact with your community; and • Any 12-step or religious affiliations you have. Print name, Sign and Date Paul Sample Check “Defendant” 9 www.saclaw.org/expungement-guide saclaw.org Understanding Sac Court’s Expungement Packet >>Home >>Law 101 Sample Sacramento Criminal Record Report Your case number 05M012345 123456 Code section you were convicted of violating Date of conviction Misdemeanor or Felony conviction 10 Terms of your sentence www.saclaw.org/expungement-guide saclaw.org Understanding Sac Court’s Expungement Packet >>Home >>Law 101 11 www.saclaw.org/expungement-guide .
Recommended publications
  • "With the Intent to Inflict Such Injury": the Courts and the Legislature Create Confusion in California Penal Code Section 12022.7
    "With the Intent to Inflict Such Injury": The Courts and the Legislature Create Confusion in California Penal Code Section 12022.7 INTRODUCTION For 60 years the California criminal justice system followed an indeterminate approach to sentencing its criminals. Under this system, the judge would sentence the convicted defendant to an inde- terminate term.' When the defendant reached prison, the parole board would determine the length of that individual's stay, placing emphasis on the particular attributes of the criminal and the possi- bility of successful rehabilitation.' Operative July 1, 1977, however, the Determinate Sentencing Law repealed and replaced the indeter- minate sentencing system.' The California legislature declared that the purpose of imprison- ing convicted criminals is punishment, not rehabilitation.4 The legis- lature concluded that determinate sentencing is the most effective manner to achieve this purpose.6 Under determinate sentencing, stat- utes provide fixed terms of years for specific crimes. Felonies are divided into seven categories, the majority of which are further sub- divided into three tiers of a low, middle, and high term.6 The judge has the discretion to choose which tier is appropriate for an individual.7 1. 3 B. WITKIN & N. EPSTEIN, CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL LAW § 1446, at 1712 (2d ed. 1989). 2. Id. 3. The Determinate Sentencing Law modified many penh1 code statutes simultane- ously. See generally CAL. PENAL CODE § 1170 (West 1985 & Supp. 1991). 4. CAL. PENAL CODE § 1170(a)(1). 5. Id. The legislature determined that focusing on the seriousness of the crime committed, instead of on the ability to rehabilitate the offender, is the best way to pun- ish.
    [Show full text]
  • (Refs & Annos) Article I. Declaration of Ri
    § 28. Findings and declarations; rights of victims; enforcement, CA CONST Art. 1, § 28 KeyCite Yellow Flag - Negative Treatment Unconstitutional or PreemptedLimitation Recognized by People v. Robinson, Cal.App. 2 Dist., Sep. 28, 2011 West’s Annotated California Codes Constitution of the State of California 1879 (Refs & Annos) Article I. Declaration of Rights (Refs & Annos) West’s Ann.Cal.Const. Art. 1, § 28 § 28. Findings and declarations; rights of victims; enforcement Effective: November 5, 2008 Currentness <For Executive Order N-49-20 (2019 CA EO 49-20), relating to changes in the discharge and re-entry process at the Division of Juvenile Justice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, see Historical and Statutory Notes under Welfare and Institutions Code § 1766.> Sec. 28. (a) The People of the State of California find and declare all of the following: (1) Criminal activity has a serious impact on the citizens of California. The rights of victims of crime and their families in criminal prosecutions are a subject of grave statewide concern. (2) Victims of crime are entitled to have the criminal justice system view criminal acts as serious threats to the safety and welfare of the people of California. The enactment of comprehensive provisions and laws ensuring a bill of rights for victims of crime, including safeguards in the criminal justice system fully protecting those rights and ensuring that crime victims are treated with respect and dignity, is a matter of high public importance. California’s victims of crime are largely dependent upon the proper functioning of government, upon the criminal justice system and upon the expeditious enforcement of the rights of victims of crime described herein, in order to protect the public safety and to secure justice when the public safety has been compromised by criminal activity.
    [Show full text]
  • Criminal Law
    University of California, Hastings College of the Law UC Hastings Scholarship Repository Propositions California Ballot Propositions and Initiatives 1990 Criminal Law. Follow this and additional works at: http://repository.uchastings.edu/ca_ballot_props Recommended Citation Criminal Law. California Proposition 115 (1990). http://repository.uchastings.edu/ca_ballot_props/1020 This Proposition is brought to you for free and open access by the California Ballot Propositions and Initiatives at UC Hastings Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Propositions by an authorized administrator of UC Hastings Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 115 Criminal Law. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statul~ Official Title and Summary CRIMINAL LAW. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE. Amends state Constitution regarding criminal and juvenile cases: affords accused no greater constitutional rights than federal Constitution affords; prohibits post-indictment preliminary hearings; establishes People's right to due process and speedy, public trials; provides reciprocal discovery; allO\vs hearsay in preliminary hearings. i\lakes statutory changes, inc/ueling: expands first degree murder definition: increases penalty for specified murders; expands special circumstance murders subject to capital punishment: increases penalty for minors convicted of first degree murder to life imprisonment without parole; permits probable cause finding based on hearsay; requires court to conduct jurv examination. Summary of Legislative Analyst's estimate of net state and local government fiscal impact: The net fiscal effect of this measure is unknown. The measure makes several significant changes to the criminal justice system. How the measure will be implemented and interpreted is un known. There may be only a minor fiscal impact on state and local governments, or there may be a major fiscal impact.
    [Show full text]
  • Criminal Law Procedure and Practice
    CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL LAW PROCEDURE AND PRACTICE 2016 Library of Congress Control Number: 94-70697 ©1994, 1995, 1996, 1998.2000.2002,2004, 2005,2006, 2007, 2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016 by The Regents of the University of California ISBN 978-0-7626-2389-1 CR-32118 52 REPRESENTING THE NONCITIZEN CRIMINAL DEFENDANT MICHAEL K. MEHR GRACIELA MARTINEZ I. OVERVIEW §52.1 II. UNIQUE ASPECTS OF NONCITIZEN DEFENDANT CASES A. Checklist: Basic Procedure for Criminal Defense of Immigrants §52.2 B. Interviewing Noncitizen Criminal Defendants and Basic Immigration Status Questionnaire §52.3 C. Main Defense Goals in Representing Juveniles §52.4 D. Noncitizen Status 1. Noncitizen Status as Affecting Bail §52.5 2. Noncitizen Status as Affecting Other Issues §52.6 3. The California TRUST Act §52.6A a. Litigation §52.68 b. Relevant Terms §52.6C c. TRUST Act Disqualifiers §52.60 E. Interpreters §52.7 F. Requirements Concerning Immigration Status When Pleading Guilty or No Contest §52.8 G. Availability of Noncitizen Witnesses §52.9 H. The Immigrant Victims of Crime Equity Act §52.9A I. Consequences of Sentence in Criminal Cases §52.10 J. Former Judicial Recommendation Against Deportation (JRAD) §52.11 K. Effect of Postconviction Relief on Immigration Status §52.12 1. Vacating Conviction §52.13 2. Expungement (Pen C §1203.4) and Other Forms of State Rehabilitative Relief §52.14 3. Other Postconviction Relief §52.15 4. Responsibilities of Original Counsel When Client Seeks Postconviction Relief §52.16 Ill. APPLICABLE IMMIGRATION LAW A. Effect of Criminal Record on Immigration §52.17 1. Grounds of Inadmissibility §52.18 2.
    [Show full text]
  • California Code of Regulations Title 15. Crime Prevention and Corrections
    State of California California Code of Regulations Title 15. Crime Prevention and Corrections 2013 C lif i C d f R l i Ti l 15 Di i i 3 E li h Division 3 Rules and Regulations of Adult Institutions, Programs, and Parole Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Updated through January 2013 State of California California Code of Regulations Title 15. Crime Prevention and Corrections Division 3 Rules and Regulations of Adult Institutions, Programs, and Parole Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Updated through January 2013 Information and updates available online at: http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/regulations/adult_operations CDCR Intranet: http://intranet/adm/dss/rpmb TITLE 15 DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION T of C DIVISION 3. ADULT INSTITUTIONS, PROGRAMS AND PAROLE TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1. Rules and Regulations of Adult Article 3.5. Credits ......................................................... 30 Operations and Programs........................ 9 Section Article 1. Behavior ...................................................... 9 §3042 Penal Code 2933 Credits ......................... 30 Section §3043 Credit Earning ......................................... 30 §3000 Definitions ............................................... 9 §3043.1 Waiver ..................................................... 31 §3000.5 Rules of Construction .............................. 18 §3043.2 Loss of Participation Credit .................... 32 §3001 Subject to Regulations............................. 18 §3043.3 Loss of Behavior, PC 2933,
    [Show full text]
  • Court of Appeal of the State of California Fifth Appellate District
    COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT In Re Chelsea Becker, ) No. F___________ Petitioner, ) ) Trial Court No. 19CM-5304 ) (Kings County) On Habeas Corpus ) RENEWED PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS (Application for Immediate Release) Following order denying own recognizance release and setting $2,000,000 money bail (Pen. Code §§ 1270, 1271, 1275, 1319, et seq.) by Hon. Robert S. Burns DANIEL N. ARSHACK JACQUELINE GOODMAN (SBN: 172308) (NY BAR# DA-2036) THE GOODMAN LAW BUILDING (Admitted Pro Hac Vice 5/22/20) 712 N. Harbor Blvd. Consulting Attorney to the National Fullerton, California 92832 Advocates for Pregnant Women Tel: (714) 879-5770 ARSHACK, HAJEK & LEHRMAN, PLLC 1790 Broadway, Suite 710 *ROGER T. NUTTALL (SBN 42500) New York, New York, 10019 NUTTALL & COLEMAN Tel: (212) 582-6500 2333 Merced Street Fresno, California 93721 SAMANTHA LEE (SBN: #315464) Tel: (559) 233-2900 NATIONAL ADVOCATES FOR PREGNANT WOMEN 575 8th Avenue, 7th Floor New York, New York 10018 Tel: (212)255-9253 TO BE FILED IN THE COURT OF APPEAL APP-008 COURT OF APPEALCASE NUMBER COURT OF APPEAL FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT, DIVISION ATTORNEYOR PARTY WITHOUT ATTORNEY: STATE SAR NUMBER: 42500 SUPERIOR COURT CASE NUMBER: NAME: ROGER T. NUTTALL 19CM-5304 FIRM NAME: LAW OFFICES OF NUTTALL & COLEMAN STREET ADDRESS: 2333 MERCE D STREET CITY: FRESNO STATE: CA ZIP CODE: 93721 TELEPHONE NO.: (559) 233-2900 FAX NO.: (559) 485-3852 E-MAIL ADDREss: [email protected] ATTORNEY FOR (name): PETITIONER APPELLANT/ CHELS EA BECKER PETITIONER: RESPONDENT/ KINGS COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT REAL PARTY IN INTEREST: PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED ENTITIES OR PERSONS (Check one): m INITIAL CERTIFICATE D SUPPLEMENT AL GERTI FI CATE Notice: Please read rules 8.208 and 8.488 before completing this form.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 10 Detainers and Extradition
    The California Prison and Parole Law Handbook by Heather MacKay and the Prison Law Office THE CALIFORNIA PRISON & PAROLE LAW HANDBOOK BY HEATHER MACKAY & THE PRISON LAW OFFICE ISBN: 978-0-692-95526-0 Copyright © 2019 by the Prison Law Office Content Editor: Ritika Aggarwal Production & Style Editor: Brandy Iglesias Cover Art: Justus Evans Cover Design: Tara Eglin Assistance with Chapter 9: Kony Kim, former Staff Attorney at UnCommon Law, a non-profit that represents people at Board of Parole Hearings proceedings, challenges unjust parole policies and decisions, and provides training and information to people serving life terms and their advocates. Assistance with Chapter 11: Anne Mania, former Staff Attorney at the Prison Law Office and Rosen, Bien, Galvan and Grunfeld, where she worked on ensuring due process for people undergoing parole violation processes. Assistance with Chapter 13: Theo Cuison, Deputy Director and Clinical Supervisor in the Immigration Unit of the East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC), a clinic of U.C. Berkeley School of Law. The Prison Law Office is a non-profit public interest law firm that strives to protect the rights and improve the living conditions of people in state prisons, juvenile facilities, jails and immigration detention in California and elsewhere. The Prison Law Office represents individuals, engages in class actions and other impact litigation, educates the public about prison conditions, and provides technical assistance to attorneys throughout the country. Order forms for The California Prison and Parole Law Handbook are available at: www.prisonlaw.com or by writing to: Prison Law Office General Delivery San Quentin, CA 94964 In addition, many self-help information packets on a variety of topics are available free of charge on the Resources page at www.prisonlaw.com or by contacting the Prison Law Office at the address above.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 8 Determinate Sentences, Restitution, Time Credits, and Release Dates
    The California Prison and Parole Law Handbook by Heather MacKay and the Prison Law Office THE CALIFORNIA PRISON & PAROLE LAW HANDBOOK BY HEATHER MACKAY & THE PRISON LAW OFFICE ISBN: 978-0-692-95526-0 Copyright © 2019 by the Prison Law Office Content Editor: Ritika Aggarwal Production & Style Editor: Brandy Iglesias Cover Art: Justus Evans Cover Design: Tara Eglin Assistance with Chapter 9: Kony Kim, former Staff Attorney at UnCommon Law, a non-profit that represents people at Board of Parole Hearings proceedings, challenges unjust parole policies and decisions, and provides training and information to people serving life terms and their advocates. Assistance with Chapter 11: Anne Mania, former Staff Attorney at the Prison Law Office and Rosen, Bien, Galvan and Grunfeld, where she worked on ensuring due process for people undergoing parole violation processes. Assistance with Chapter 13: Theo Cuison, Deputy Director and Clinical Supervisor in the Immigration Unit of the East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC), a clinic of U.C. Berkeley School of Law. The Prison Law Office is a non-profit public interest law firm that strives to protect the rights and improve the living conditions of people in state prisons, juvenile facilities, jails and immigration detention in California and elsewhere. The Prison Law Office represents individuals, engages in class actions and other impact litigation, educates the public about prison conditions, and provides technical assistance to attorneys throughout the country. Order forms for The California Prison and Parole Law Handbook are available at: www.prisonlaw.com or by writing to: Prison Law Office General Delivery San Quentin, CA 94964 In addition, many self-help information packets on a variety of topics are available free of charge on the Resources page at www.prisonlaw.com or by contacting the Prison Law Office at the address above.
    [Show full text]
  • Stalking Laws and Implementation Practices: a National Review for Policymakers and Practitioners
    The author(s) shown below used Federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Justice and prepared the following final report: Document Title: Stalking Laws and Implementation Practices: A National Review for Policymakers and Practitioners Author(s): Neal Miller Document No.: 197066 Date Received: October 24, 2002 Award Number: 97-WT-VX-0007 This report has not been published by the U.S. Department of Justice. To provide better customer service, NCJRS has made this Federally- funded grant final report available electronically in addition to traditional paper copies. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Institute for Law and Justice 1018 Duke Street Alexandria, Virginia 22314 Phone: 703-684-5300 Fax: 703-739-5533 i http://www. ilj .org -- PROPERTY OF National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS). t'Y- Box 6000 Rockville, MD 20849-6000 fl-- Stalking Laws and Implementation Practices: A 0 National Review for Policymakers and Practitioners Neal Miller October 2001 Prepared under a grant from the National Institute of Justice to the Institute for Law and Justice (ILJ), grant no. 97-WT-VX-0007 Any opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Department of Justice or ILJ. This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • The Death Penalty in Alameda County, California: The
    Copyright © 2019 Carolina Academic Press, LLC. All rights reserved. California Criminal Law CASES AND PROBLEMS FOURTH EDITION 2019 UPDATE LETTER Steven F. Shatz PROFESSOR OF LAW, EMERITUS UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO Scott W. Howe FRANK L. WILLIAMS PROFESSOR OF CRIMINAL LAW CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY Amy Flynn ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF LAW UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO CAROLINA ACADEMIC PRESS Durham, North Carolina Copyright © 2019 Carolina Academic Press, LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2019 Carolina Academic Press, LLC All Rights Reserved Carolina Academic Press 700 Kent Street Durham, North Carolina 27701 Telephone (919) 489-7486 Fax (919) 493-5668 E-mail: [email protected] www.cap-press.com Copyright © 2019 Carolina Academic Press, LLC. All rights reserved. Dear Colleague, Last fall, Senate Bill No. 1437 was enacted, making significant changes in California murder law through amendments to Penal Code §§ 188 and 189. We set out below a copy of that portion of the law (with the substantive changes in italics).1 We then offer our preliminary thoughts on the effects of the changes and the implications for various cases in our casebook. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) The power to define crimes and fix penalties is vested exclusively in the Legislative branch. (b) There is a need for statutory changes to more equitably sentence offenders in accordance with their involvement in homicides. (c) In pursuit of this goal, in 2017, the Legislature passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 48 (Resolution Chapter 175, 2017–18 Regular Session), which outlines the need for the statutory changes contained in this measure.
    [Show full text]
  • Victims Truth and Detention--The Eoplep Spoke James R
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Scholarly Commons McGeorge Law Review Volume 23 | Issue 3 Article 10 1-1-1992 Victims Truth and Detention--The eopleP Spoke James R. Adams University of the Pacific; cGeM orge School of Law Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/mlr Part of the Law Commons Recommended Citation James R. Adams, Victims Truth and Detention--The People Spoke, 23 Pac. L. J. 973 (1992). Available at: https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/mlr/vol23/iss3/10 This Symposium is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals and Law Reviews at Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in McGeorge Law Review by an authorized editor of Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Victims, Truth, and Detention--The People Spoke James R. Adams* "The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge or determine right." Alexander Hamilton' JNTRODUCTON Ten years ago, under the guise of creating rights for victims of crime, several groups cooperated in the creation, promotion, and passage of the so-called "Victims' Bill of Rights." 2 Surprisingly, this initiative was largely concerned with bringing about changes in the state's criminal justice system. In the eyes of the drafters * Professor, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law; B.S., University of Iowa, 1948; J.D., University of Iowa School of Law, 1951. I thank my research assistant, Nannette Stomberg (J.D. candidate, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 1992) for her valuable assistance.
    [Show full text]
  • Reforming California's Homicide Law Charles L
    Pepperdine Law Review Volume 23 | Issue 2 Article 3 1-15-1996 Reforming California's Homicide Law Charles L. Hobson Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/plr Part of the Criminal Law Commons, and the State and Local Government Law Commons Recommended Citation Charles L. Hobson Reforming California's Homicide Law, 23 Pepp. L. Rev. 2 (1996) Available at: http://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/plr/vol23/iss2/3 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the School of Law at Pepperdine Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Pepperdine Law Review by an authorized administrator of Pepperdine Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Reforming California's Homicide Law Charles L. Hobson* "[T]he law of homicide is in need of revision."' Justice Mosk is right. California's homicide law centers around archaic statutes that since their enactment have undergone little meaningful change. The legislative and judicial attempts to deal with this are piecemeal at best, frequently creating more problems than they solve. Comprehensive legislative reform can correct the errors of the past and limit future errors from further confusing homicide law. This Article will point out the problems with California's homicide law and suggest reforms.2 Part I examines the defects in California's homicide law. Part II suggests an analytical framework for reforming criminal statutes.4 Part Ill applies this framework and suggests statuto- ry reforms for California's homicide law.' I. THE NEED FOR REFORM A. The Problem with Malice The problems with California's homicide law begin with the term "malice." California defines murder as "the unlawful killing of a human * Attorney, Criminal Justice Legal Foundation; J.D.
    [Show full text]