Bay Area

State Attorney General Creates Unit to Ensure Proper Convictions

Fewer people may be wrongfully convicted in California following the launch Friday of a post-conviction justice unit in the state Department of Justice. The unit will in part work in concert with district attorneys’ offices around the state to resolve wrongful or improper convictions as well as identify people who could have their sentences reduced.

Published

2 years ago

February 26, 2023

Oakland Post

California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Bonta was sworn in as the 34th Attorney General of the State of California on April 23, 2021. (Office of the California Attorney General via Bay City News)

By Keith Burbank
Bay City News

Fewer people may be wrongfully convicted in California following the launch Friday of a post-conviction justice unit in the state Department of Justice.

The unit will in part work in concert with district attorneys’ offices around the state to resolve wrongful or improper convictions as well as identify people who could have their sentences reduced.

The unit also plans to promote the best practices for post-conviction justice work across the state. Some jurisdictions already have post-conviction or exoneration units.

“Our criminal legal system is not infallible,” Attorney General Rob Bonta said at a news conference Friday morning in Oakland. “It is not perfect.”

The new effort is about seeking the public’s trust, Bonta said.

The California Department of Justice has never had such a unit and it has been something Bonta has been working on since he was appointed to the office in 2021. The unit will start its work by reviewing cases in which state prosecutors won convictions.

Since 1989 more than 3,000 exonerations have occurred nationwide, Bonta said, citing The National Registry of Exonerations.

More than 280 exonerations have occurred in California since 1989, according to the registry. The people exonerated lost a total of more than 2,000 years behind bars.

Tens of thousands of people nationwide have been falsely convicted and are wrongfully incarcerated, according to estimates, Bonta said.

People wrongfully convicted often come from racially and economically disadvantaged or marginalized communities and “do not have the resources to mount a meaningful defense,” Bonta said.

Two people from the criminal law division in the California Department of Justice currently make up the post-conviction unit. Bonta is hiring for the unit.

It is not taking any cases now until more staff members are in place, Bonta said.

New evidence may come to light, mistakes may surface and sentencing rules may change, leading to the need to reevaluate a case, state prosecutors said.

“Nobody should serve time for a crime they didn’t commit,” Bonta said.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Status Update on Bay Area Public Health Developments

Don't Miss

More Than 112,000 PG&E Customers in Bay Area Without Power Amid High Winds

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024, 2024

Published

3 days ago

November 30, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership.

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

President and CEO of OCCUR addresses the audience at OCCUR Faith Forward 2024 Conference at Resurrection Church. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR) hosted its Faith Forward 2024 Conference on Nov. 8 at Resurrection Church in Oakland.

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12^th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership. During her remarks, She commended nonprofits making a difference, and shared how she looked forward to representing Oakland and surrounding areas.

Simon also encouraged attendees to continue fighting despite their concerns about the presidential election results. She also cautioned that there may be resources that are discontinued as a result.

“We know the assignment. We have many of the resources right within our own community, and we will be ok,” Simon assured the audience.

The conference led by OCCUR president, Dr. David B. Franklin, also featured panels on funding opportunities, case studies, economic development, sustainable housing solutions, and organizing for action.

“In order for organizations serving the community to thrive, everyone must collaborate, share resources, and not operate in silos,” said Franklin.

Speakers included San Francisco Foundation CEO, Fred Blackwell, San Francisco Foundation FAITHS Program Director Dr. Michelle Chambers, and Kingmakers of Oakland Founder, Chris Chatmon. Guests were briefed on how Kingmakers of Oakland has gone from a budget of zero to several million and is set to acquire 200 acres of property to expand their programs serving young boys. The leadership at the San Francisco Foundation encouraged nonprofits, churches, and community leaders to work together, especially when donations and funding numbers are lower.

Ben Bartlett of Berkeley City Council; Trevor Parham, CEO of Oakstop; and CEO of the Lao Family Community Development, Inc., Kathy Chao Rothberg, inspired attendees with stories about their journeys in the nonprofit sector.

Additional speakers included Deka Dike, CEO of Omatachi; Landis Green, CEO of DGS Strategies; Sasha Werblin, Director of Economic Development, LISC Bay Area; Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid; Faith and Justice Organizer of East Bay Housing Organizations, Ronnie Boyd; and Todd Bendon, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay; among others.

The event allowed community leaders, faith-based leaders, and nonprofits to gain Insight on how to strengthen their profits financially, and communally.

OCCUR has served the community for over 70 years supporting the wellbeing of historically marginalized communities with collaborative strategies. For more information visit occurnow.org

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Bay Area

Richmond’s New Fire Chief Sworn In

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” noted Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi,. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Chief Osorio (far left) was sworn in at a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Hall on Nov. 15. All photos by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

Richmond Fire Chief Aaron Osorio was sworn into his new role in a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Council Chambers on Friday, Nov. 15.

The crowd included Osorio’s family and friends, rank-and-file Richmond firefighters, fellow fire chiefs from Bay Area agencies, elected officials and community members.

Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl provided an introduction and acknowledged Chief Osorio’s “heroic service to Richmond.”

Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi, presented the chief with a Congressional Commendation, citing his 23 years of serving in the fire service in Richmond in numerous positions.

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” Sandhu noted. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

The chief’s wife, Maria, and two sons Roman and Mateo helped perform the badge-pinning.

Richmond City Clerk Pamela Christian then conducted the swearing-in ceremony.

Chief Osorio thanked his family, colleagues, and city for their support, calling it “very humbling” to take on leadership of an “amazing organization.”

Once the ceremony was done, the chief stated, “I’m ready to get to work.”