Staff
Heather Gonzalez
(916) 319-8359
Emergency Services and Business Regulation
Anita Lee
(916) 319-8321
Courts, Department of Justice, Gambling
Caitlin O'Neil
(916) 319-8351
State Prisons, County Jails, Sentencing
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


Publications

Criminal Justice

To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.



Report

The 2022-23 Budget: Judicial Branch Proposals

February 3, 2022 - This publication provides our assessment and recommendations on the Governor’s 2022-23 budget proposals related to the judicial branch.


Post

The 2022-23 Budget: Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training

January 31, 2022 - This post provides our analysis of the Governor’s proposals for the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to implement a required peace officer decertification program and a proposed law enforcement officer wellness program.


Handout

The 2022-23 Budget: Governor's Proposed County Operated Juvenile Facility Grant Program

January 27, 2022 - This publication provides our analysis of the Governor's 2022-23 budget proposal to provide $100 million one-time General Fund for a County Operated Juvenile Facility Grant Program.


Report

The 2022-23 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

January 13, 2022 - On January 10, 2022, Governor Newsom presented his proposed state budget to the Legislature. In this report, we provide a brief summary of the proposed budget based on our initial review. In the coming weeks, we will analyze the plan in more detail and release several additional budget analyses.

Update (1/21/22): Includes a corrected estimate of Governor’s Budget proposals that are excludable under the State Appropriations Limit (SAL).


Post

The 2021-22 Spending Plan: Judiciary and Criminal Justice

October 6, 2021 - This post provides an overview of the major judiciary and criminal justice proposals approved as part of the 2021-22 budget package. The 2021‑22 budget provides $17.3 billion from the General Fund for judicial and criminal justice programs. This is an increase of $2.3 billion (15 percent) above the revised 2020‑21 spending level.


Post

The 2021-22 Budget: Initial Comments on the Governor’s May Revision

May 17, 2021 - On May 14, 2021, Governor Newsom presented a revised state budget proposal to the Legislature. (This annual proposed revised budget is called the “May Revision.”) In this post, we provide a summary of the Governor’s revised budget, focusing on the overall condition and structure of the state General Fund—the budget’s main operating account. In the coming days, we will analyze the plan in more detail and provide additional comments in hearing testimony and online.


Handout

Overview of Criminal Fine and Fee System

May 13, 2021 - Presented to: Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation Hon. María Elena Durazo, Chair


Handout

Overview of State Funding and Audit of CDAA

May 13, 2021 - Senate Budget Subcommittee No 5. on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation


Handout

Overview of State Funding and Audit of CDAA

April 16, 2021 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No 5. on Public Safety


Handout

Resentencing, Diversion, and Reentry Programs

April 16, 2021 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on Public Safety


Report

Improving Parolee Substance Use Disorder Treatment Through Medi-Cal

April 14, 2021 - This report provides background on the ways parolees access substance use disorder treatment (SUDT) through providers who are typically either funded by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation or through Medi-Cal (the state’s Medicaid program). It assesses the trade-offs between these two approaches and recommends steps to improve the quality of service and create savings by increasing the utilization of Medi-Cal for parolee SUDT.


Handout

The 2021-22 Budget: Authorization of Remote Court Proceedings

March 12, 2021 - This publication provides our analysis of the Governor's 2021-22 budget proposals to authorize remote court proceedings.


Handout

A Review of State Standards and Inspections for Local Detention Facilities

March 8, 2021 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 On Public Safety Hon. Christina Garcia, Chair


Report

A Review of State Standards and Inspections for Local Detention Facilities

February 16, 2021 - In this publication, we provide an overview of local detention facilities (such as county jails) in California. We also assess the state’s program for setting minimum facility standards and inspecting these facilities. Finally, we recommend steps to help ensure the success of the program going forward, such as establishing a clear mission and goals for the program and requiring a plan to align the program with this mission and goals.


Handout

The 2021-22 Budget: Funding for Trial Court Construction

February 12, 2021 - This publication provides an overview of the current status of the trial court construction program. It also provides our analysis of the Governor’s 2021-22 budget proposals to consolidate two special funds supporting trial court construction and to fund new court construction projects from the General Fund.