Criminal Justice

Judge rips into OC prosecutors and calls their misconduct 'reprehensible'

Dozens of old criminal convictions should be revisited because of the misconduct, the defense says.

A man sits on the witness stand, wearing a suit and tie. He is gesturing with his hands as he answers a question put to him.

30 LA County probation officers are accused of allowing 'gladiator fights' in juvenile hall

The state attorney general’s alleges that officers “allowed and, in some instances, encouraged” 69 fights among the youth. The 30 officers are charged with child abuse and endangerment.

An arial image of a large facility with gray long rectangular buildings and some grassy areas in the center including a pool.

In the federal court system, law clerks find little recourse for bullying and abuse

An NPR investigation law clerks and other judicial employees are vulnerable to mistreatment and have few job protections. California Congresswoman Norma Torres is trying to change that.

Listen 27:39

An NPR investigation finds federal judges have enormous influence with few checks on their power. Law clerks and other judicial employees are vulnerable to mistreatment and have few job protections.

Newsom orders parole board to conduct 'risk' assessment' of Menendez brothers

Parole officials have been asked to evaluate whether Erik and Lyle Menendez pose a threat to public safety if they were to be released.

An Oct. 31, 2016, photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shows Erik Menendez, left, and a Feb. 22, 2018, photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shows Lyle Menendez.

DA Hochman says Menendez brothers should not get new trial; no decision yet on resentencing

Hochman also talked about Lyle and Erik Menendez and the court processes the brothers are pursuing in hopes of getting out of prison.

Nathan Hochman, un hombre con piel de tono claro se ve de perfil
contra una cortina oscura. Lleva traje y corbata con un pin.

Rapper A$AP Rocky found not guilty of felony assault with a firearm

Jurors found Rocky, a rapper and the longtime partner of Rihanna, not guilty of firing a gun at a former friend on a Hollywood street in 2021. He could have faced up to 24 years in prison.

Judge sets April hearing to consider shutdown of Los Padrinos juvenile hall

A state board found last year that the county repeatedly failed to meet minimum staffing requirements at the facility.

A sign reads on a dirty building reads: Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. Street lights and wires are visible over the roof.

Drone operator to plead guilty in crash that damaged water-dropping plane during Palisades Fire

Prosecutors said a Culver City man agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge stemming from the incident that briefly grounded the plane.

A yellow small plane flies low dropping water over a neighborhood while smoke billows in the backdrop.

Is the OC snitch scandal over? Why there’s no easy answer

The federal government recently settled with Orange County over reforms. But a pending ruling could call into question their effectiveness. A decision is expected soon.