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How much does the state spend on criminal justice and court programs?

Figure 1

Judicial and Criminal Justice Budget Summary

General Fund (Dollars in Millions)

2023‑24

2024‑25

2025‑26

Change From 2024‑25

Amount

Percent

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

$14,310

$13,925

$13,262

‑$664

‑5%

Judicial Branch

3,144

2,893

3,232

340

12

Department of Justice

489

494

506

12

2

Board of State and Community Corrections

625

390

118

‑272

‑70

Other Departmentsa

172

201

216

15

8

Totals, All Departments

$18,739

$17,903

$17,334

‑$569

‑3%

aIncludes Office of the Inspector General, Commission on Judicial Performance, Victim Compensation Board, Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, Office of the State Public Defender, funds provided for trial court security, and debt service on general obligation bonds.

Note: Detail may not total due to rounding.
  • The 2025‑26 budget provides $17.3 billion from the General Fund for judicial and criminal justice programs, including support for program operations and capital outlay projects, as shown in Figure 1. This is a decrease of $569 million, or 3 percent, below the revised 2024‑25 level. This decline is largely due to reductions in General Fund spending in 2025‑26, such as those made to address the state’s budget problem, as well as the expiration of limited-term funding provided in previous years.
  • Of this funding, $13.3 billion (77 percent) supports the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
  • For more information on the spending on criminal justice and court programs, please see The 2025‑26 California Spending Plan: Judiciary and Criminal Justice.

Last Updated: December 2025