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Criminal Justice Publications

To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.


 




Letter

Letter to Honorable Thomas J. Umberg on Availability of Court Reporters in the Trial Courts

March 5, 2024 - This letter responds to a request for the LAO to examine the current and future availability of court reporters in the trial courts, and provide data and findings in key specified areas.

Handout

Overview of Governor’s Proposed 2024-25 Public Safety Budget

March 4, 2024 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 On Public Safety

Post

The 2024-25 Budget: Judicial Branch

February 23, 2024 - This post provides an overview of the Governor’s 2024-25 proposed funding levels for the judicial branch and our assessments and recommendations on a proposal to provide $19 million ongoing General Fund to support self-help centers.

Brief

The 2024-25 Budget: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

February 22, 2024 - This brief provides our analysis of the Governor’s 2024-25 budget proposals related to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Post

The 2024-25 Budget: County Probation Grants to Support Temporary Increase in the Supervision Population

February 20, 2024 - In this post, we evaluate the Governor's proposal to provide $4.4 million to county probation departments to support the temporary increase in the Post Release Community Supervision population resulting from Proposition 57 (2016).

Handout

Overview of Juvenile Justice System and County Funding Provided Through the State

February 14, 2024 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation

Post

The 2024-25 Budget: Department of Justice

February 9, 2024 - This post provides an overview of the Governor’s 2024-25 proposed funding levels for the Department of Justice. It also provides our assessment and recommendations on a proposed $100 million loan from the state Litigation Deposit Fund to the state General Fund.

Handout

Overview of State Law Related to Retail Crime

December 19, 2023 - Presented to: Select Committee on Retail Theft

Report

Overview and Update on the Prison Receivership

November 8, 2023 - California’s prison medical system has been under direct management of a Receiver appointed by a federal court since 2006 because the state was found to be providing unconstitutional levels of care. In this brief, we provide an overview of the establishment of the Receivership, changes to prison medical care made by the Receiver, and the steps that the state needs to complete in order to exit the Receivership. We also raise some issues for legislative consideration related to the Receivership.

Post

The 2023-24 California Spending Plan: Judiciary and Criminal Justice

October 16, 2023 - The 2023-24 budget provides $18.6 billion from the General Fund for judicial and criminal justice programs, including support for program operations and capital outlay projects. This is a decrease of $1.2 billion, or 6 percent, below the revised 2022-23 spending level. A large portion of this reduction is due to the expiration of limited-term funding provided in previous years.

Report

Achieving the Goals of the SB 678 County Probation Grant Program

October 10, 2023 - In order to reduce admissions into state prison from people on county probation, the state enacted Chapter 608 of 2009 (SB 678, Leno) to establish the Community Corrections Performance Incentive grant program, commonly referred to as the SB 678 grant program. This report provides (1) background on the program—discussing its goals, funding formula, and modifications; (2) an assessment of the program; and (3) recommended steps to better achieve the goals of the program.

Report

The 2023-24 Budget: California Spending Plan Series

October 2, 2023 - Each year, our office publishes California Spending Plan, a series of publications that summarize the annual state budget. The final version of Overview of the California Spending Plan is presented here along with short online posts that focus on major areas and features of the 2023-24 budget package. As these posts become available, we will add them below.

Post

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections)

September 7, 2023 - We reviewed the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Bargaining Unit 6 (Corrections). This review is pursuant to Section 19829.5 of the Government Code.

Handout

Overview of Criminal Fine and Fee System and Notable Related Actions

June 23, 2023 - Presented to: Committee on Revision of the Penal Code

Post

The 2023-24 Budget: May Revision Proposals Related to the California Model and San Quentin State Prison

May 19, 2023 - In this post, we analyze the Governor’s May Revision proposals for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to undertake capital outlay projects at San Quentin State Prison (SQ) as a part of a broader effort to develop a more rehabilitative and health-focused model for California prisons, known as the “California Model.” Specifically, we describe the Governor’s proposals, discuss several concerns with the proposals, and provide recommendations to the Legislature.

Criminal Justice Staff

Anita Lee
(916) 319-8321
Courts, Department of Justice, Gambling
 
Caitlin O'Neil
(916) 319-8351
State Prisons, County Jails, Sentencing
 
Jared Sippel
(916) 319-8335
Emergency Services and Business Regulation
 
Orlando Sanchez Zavala
(916) 319-8307
Correctional Health Care, Rehabilitation Programs, Juvenile Justice, Community Corrections
 
Drew Soderborg
(916) 319-8346
Deputy Legislative Analyst: Public Safety and Business Regulation