September 22, 2016

Governor Signs Criminal Justice Legislation

Governor Brown signs CSAC sponsored legislation allowing counties to recover costs in bail forfeiture cases. AB 1854, by Assembly Member Richard Bloom, will restore the ability for prosecutorial agencies and county counsel offices to recover their costs incurred in successfully opposing a motion to vacate the forfeiture of bail. In addition, the Governor signed SB 872 by Senator Isadore Hall which will allow a city council or county board of supervisors to offer a contract for law enforcement services to a private school, college or university, if that private school, college or university requests it. This measure gives campuses one more security option when looking at public safety for their students. CSAC supported SB 872 and co-sponsored AB 1854 with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

CSAC Joins Judicial Council for Federal Grant on “The Price of Justice: Rethinking and the Consequences of Justice Fines and Fees”

CSAC partnered with the Judicial Council of California for a federal grant that will support reforms in California’s justice system around an individuals’ inability to pay fines and fees. The grant was awarded this week. This grant will provide California the opportunity to look at other ability-to-pay models, develop a calculator to efficiently and effectively assess ability-to-pay, and standardize fines and fees based upon the ability-to-pay. For additional information please click here.

NACo Hosts Interactive Discussion on Reforming Criminal Justice Fines and Fees

The National Association of Counties (NACo) is hosting an interactive discussion on Thursday, September 29 to address county official’s role in reforming criminal justice fines and fees. This discussion will take a look at strategies to eliminate or reduce fines and fees and implement new policies and practices aimed at reforming the current system. For additional information and to register for this event please click here.

The Council of State Governments Justice Center Hosts Police-Mental Health Collaboration Webinar

The Council of State Governments Justice Center is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, September 28 to provide an overview of police-mental health collaboration (PMHC) programs. PMHC programs are collaborative partnerships among law enforcement agencies, mental health providers, and other community-based entities. The webinar will feature Sergeant Michael Yarbrough with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department. Sergeant Yarbrough will share information on El Dorado County’s Crisis Intervention Team Management Model. For additional information and to register for the webinar please click here.

The National Stepping Up Initiative Hosts California Summit - January 18-19, 2017

The National Stepping UpInitiative will hold its first California Summit on January 18–19, 2017, at the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento. Participants will engage with national experts, peers from across the state, and people living with mental illnesses to advance county plans to improve the way counties respond to people with mental illnesses who come in contact with the criminal justice system. The California Summit will be open to teams from all 58 counties. County teams are encouraged to include at least one appointed, elected, or other high-ranking officials representing the following departments: county supervisors, county administrative/executive officers, law enforcement agencies and behavioral health agencies. Additional information will be forthcoming.