Rina Palta

The Board of Supervisors took a significant step Tuesday towards constructing a new women's jail in Lancaster using state funds. Critics urged supervisors to look at alternatives.

The board's efforts to oversee the sheriff's department continued with a process for requesting the files of deputies involved in shootings. Supervisors said it's needed to help evaluate potential payouts.

The 37-year old Christopher Lee Brown had just been sentenced to four years in jail for burglary and identity theft when he walked out of jail in downtown L.A.

Offenders convicted of second strikes under California's "Three Strikes" law are flooding the prison system, according to state officials.

L.A. County Supervisor Gloria Molina believes the Board of Supervisors should have more access to deputy-involved shooting investigations – part of an ongoing effort to keep tabs on the sheriff's department.

When talking about language diversity in California, most think Spanish. But Californians speak over 200 languages — and courts need translators.

A federal judge recently struck down portions of two tough-on-crime ballot initiatives that hampered the ability of prisoners to be paroled. The decision could lead to the release of many serious felons.

In the 1800s, horse-mounted police officers galloped the countryside of a rural America, chasing cattle rustlers. Today, they are more likely seen in parks and during riots.

Management issues and a failure to hold an outside vendor accountable led to serious flaws in a program that monitors offenders in Los Angeles County.

The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to study creating a civilian body to monitor the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. But it may not have any real power.

Louie Sanchez, 31, and Marvin Norwood, 32, were sentenced to eight years and four years in prison respectively. Stow is still recovering from the beating at his Santa Cruz home.

The LAO, which provides recommendations to the state legislature, released a review Wednesday of Brown's criminal justice proposals, totaling $14.1 billion. Read the full report.