#RJA—even
💡 Practice Tip for RJA litigators: In People v. Wagstaff, even blatant racialized remarks from the bench escaped review because trial counsel did not object contemporaneously.

Lesson: Always object in real-time under PC § 745(c).

Read More ⬇️ Full Write Up @ CA RJA Resource Hub

#CARJA #AB256 #RJA
📄 People v. Wagstaff
Court: California Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District Case No.: H050597 Opinion Date: June 12, 2025 Published: No Status: Review Denied Full Opinion: Link to full opinion (PDF) Overview: In P…
californiarja.wordpress.com
August 20, 2025 at 4:25 PM
This tweet reminds me of the time I wrote a song, even though I do not play instruments and can only sort of sing. So I asked around and my friends who can do those things agreed to record it: m.soundcloud.com/user-1577231...

If you have a vision, don't give up etc.
September 2, 2024 at 9:05 PM
📌 RJA Practice Tip from People v. Guerrero & Navarro (2025):

Even post-AB 256, courts still strictly enforce:

✅ Timely RJA objections

✅ Factual record tying bias to race

❌ Novel theories without evidentiary support

Preserve early. Build the record.

Full case analysis → CA RJA Resource Hub #RJA
📄 People v. Guerrero & Navarro
Court: California Court of Appeals, Second District, Division Five Case No.: B337444 Opinion Date: November 26, 2025 Status: Unpublished (Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 8.1115) RJA Relevance: Procedural…
californiarja.wordpress.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:52 PM
📌 Practice Tips for RJA Litigators

✅ Challenge racialized use of music/creative works under § 745(a)

✅ Highlight prosecutorial framing in closing arguments

✅ Build appellate records challenging bias, even in older cases

More info & full text ⬇️

#CARJA #RacialJusticeAct #RJA #PC745 #SystemicBias
Santa Clara County conviction overturned for prejudiced actions - San José Spotlight
A San Jose man was released from jail last week after state judges lambasted Santa Clara County prosecutors for using rap lyrics in an attempt to put him behind bars for more than a century.
sanjosespotlight.com
December 14, 2025 at 12:56 AM
📄 Case Spotlight: People v. Lashon (1st Dist. Ct. App., Div. 3)

Court affirms conviction, holding that RJA claims raised for the first time on appeal are forfeited absent an exception—even post–AB 1118.

Full write-up ⬇️Read more @ the CA RJA Resource Hub

#CARJA #RJA #CAcourts #AB1118 #AB256 #PC745
📄People v. Lashon
Court: California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Three Case No.: A163074 Opinion Date: January 8, 2024 Citation: 2024 WL 95553 Status: Published Posture: Appeal from criminal c…
californiarja.wordpress.com
August 24, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Our papers detail our data, tool, and the RJA's "significant difference" test:

1️⃣ Proving Actionable Disparity under the RJA:
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
2️⃣ The Paper Prisons RJA Data Tool:
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Proving Actionable Racial Disparity Under the California Racial Justice Act
Racial disparity is a fact of the US criminal justice system, but under the U.S. Supreme Court’s holding in McCleskey v. Kemp, racial disparities--even sizable,
papers.ssrn.com
August 1, 2024 at 2:17 AM
🗓️ Upcoming Calendar Watch

👀 Hearing set for July 31, 2025, in Yolo County on pending RJA motion involving racially biased charging claims in a misdemeanor hit-and-run case.

🚨 Tracking how lower courts are applying § 745 at even non-felony levels.

Follow for updates.

#PC745 #RacialJusticeAct #RJA
Court Watch: Judge Permits Racial Bias Claim to Advance in Minor Hit-and-Run Lawsuit - Davis Vanguard
A 50-year-old mother accused of misdemeanor hit-and-run was granted a claim under California's Racial Justice Act, allowing her to proceed with her case, after presenting sufficient evidence to suppor...
davisvanguard.org
May 27, 2025 at 6:47 PM
⚖️ When Must a Judge Recuse?

➡️ If the judge prosecuted the defendant in the same or related case

➡️ If the judge’s former role creates a reasonable doubt about impartiality

➡️ Even if not disqualified, mandatory disclosure applies

More info & full text ⬇️

#CAJudiciary #RJA #PC745 #RacialJusticeAct
California Ethics Committee Issues Opinion on Disqualification and Disclosure Requirements under the Racial Justice Act
Committee provides guidance for judges with prior experience as prosecutors handling discovery motions under the Racial Justice Act.
newsroom.courts.ca.gov
September 24, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Marãpe <Ria> ereîmongetá? /ɾja/ koîpó /'ɾi.a/, /ɾi.ˈʔa/ tiruã?

How do you read <Ria>? /ɾja/ or /'ɾi.a/, even /ɾi.ˈʔa/?
October 23, 2024 at 7:18 PM
I forgot to add that this video in Ru'ūs al-Jibāl Arabic has English AND ARABIC SUBTITLES, because this interview would not be intelligible to speakers of even nearby (non-RJA) Arabic varieties. Always fascinating to find "Arabic" with "Arabic" subtitles.
Musandam Governorate has started posting on its YouTube channel, and I came across this very informative video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ml-g...

The speaker here has what I would call an "inland" Ru'ūs al-Jibāl dialect, which I think I can recognize immediately (confirmation bias?) ... 1/2
October 18, 2023 at 4:16 AM
🎤 Rap Lyrics as Evidence

The DA’s Office relied on a 2004 gang-themed rap Chavez helped record, but did not write or perform.

Lyrics were used in closing arguments to paint him as a gang member—even though the offenses occurred years later.

More info & full text below ⬇️

#RJA #PC745 #SystemicBias
sanjosespotlight.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:06 PM
“Even if counsel did not want to antagonize the trial judge during trial, a § 745 motion could have been filed immediately after sentencing rationale.” – People v. Lashon

👉 Full write-up: californiarja.wordpress.com/2025/08/24/p...

#RJA #CaliforniaRacialJusticeAct #PC745 #AB1118 #AB256
📄People v. Lashon
Court: California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Three Case No.: A163074 Opinion Date: January 8, 2024 Citation: 2024 WL 95553 Status: Published Posture: Appeal from criminal c…
californiarja.wordpress.com
August 28, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Critical Takeaway

⚖️ People v. Wagstaff shows appellate reluctance to enforce the #RJA—even where the State admits bias. Without a preserved objection, the court let racial language stand.

💡Key lesson: Build the record. Preserve the claim.

⬇️ Full case anaylsis below ⬇️

#CaliforniaRacialJusticeAct
📄 People v. Wagstaff
Court: California Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District Case No.: H050597 Opinion Date: June 12, 2025 Published: No Status: Review Denied Full Opinion: Link to full opinion (PDF) Overview: In P…
californiarja.wordpress.com
August 21, 2025 at 2:33 AM
📑People v. Coleman affirms that RJA claims can be raised for the first time on direct appeal—even against defense counsel—under AB 1118.

‼️The Court didn’t require forfeiture, signaling courts can hear unpreserved RJA claims if rooted in the trial record. Still build the record below when possible.
📄 People v. Coleman
Court: First District Court of Appeal, Division 5 Case No.: A165198 Opinion Date: January 5, 2024 Court Documents RJA Relevance: Appellate analysis of implicit bias claims against defense counsel u…
californiarja.wordpress.com
July 11, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Living Under an Injunction

“I was arrested for taking out the trash after 10 p.m.”

Being on a gang injunction meant curfews, bans on colors (even Dodgers gear), and family separation—for people never convicted of a crime.

RJA exists to fight this legacy.
#RJA #AB333 #OCDA #RacialJusticeAct #PC745
Orange County D.A. dismisses gang injunctions against hundreds of people
Facing mounting legal pressure from activist groups, Orange County Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer moved Tuesday to dismiss gang injunctions that affected more than 300 people.
www.latimes.com
July 5, 2025 at 4:23 PM
💥 Major win for public defenders + RJA petitioners:

Under AB 1071, appointed counsel may now request discovery, even if the petitioner began pro per.

📊 Statistical evidence, hearsay, and declarations are admissible at hearing.

⚖️ Courts must state reasons when denying RJA relief—or risk reversal.
🏛️ AB 1071 (Kalra) – Expanding and Clarifying the California Racial Justice Act
Status: Amended March 28, 2025 Hearing Date: April 22, 2025 Summary: AB 1071 (Kalra) significantly amends the California Racial Justice Act (RJA) to remove procedural barriers, clarify access to re…
californiarja.wordpress.com
June 9, 2025 at 4:57 PM
RJA + SB 672 = Hope 🙏

‼️ Even if Marquell Smith’s RJA claim fails, SB 672 could still bring him before a parole board.

It gives second chances to those convicted between ages 18–25 after 25 years.

💡A future where #RJA + #YouthJustice reform intersect

#RacialJusticeAct #SB672 #PC745 #CaliforniaRJA
New legislation gives hope to man serving life without parole
Marquell Smith is serving life without parole, but new legislation is giving him hope. Plus, a new map from the California Fire Marshal shows one North County city saw a major increase in fire risk. A...
www.kpbs.org
June 8, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Practice Tip for RJA Litigators: Cite McDaniel to Compel Charging Data

Need gang enhancement data by race?

McDaniel says discovery is allowed under the RJA—even if your client is not local and expert evidence is only preliminary. Do not wait for case-specific bias. Push forward with what you have.
No Case-Specific Allegations Needed for Racial Data Demand
www.metnews.com
May 31, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Statistical Evidence Alone Can Trigger RJA Discovery

The McDaniel opinion confirms that "good cause" under § 745(d) can be met with statistical data alone, even if the defendant claims no personal bias.

County-level disparities in charging + expert support = sufficient to move forward

#PC745 #RJA
No Case-Specific Allegations Needed for Racial Data Demand
www.metnews.com
May 29, 2025 at 5:43 PM
RJA Primer in Practice

In People v. [Unidentified Mother], Judge Wolk found prima facie racial bias under CA's Racial Justice Act based on:

1️⃣ References to immigration status

2️⃣ Coded language framing the client as an outsider

➡️ Even misdemeanor cases can trigger the RJA

#CaRJA #PC745 #RJA
Court Watch: Judge Permits Racial Bias Claim to Advance in Minor Hit-and-Run Lawsuit - Davis Vanguard
A 50-year-old mother accused of misdemeanor hit-and-run was granted a claim under California's Racial Justice Act, allowing her to proceed with her case, after presenting sufficient evidence to suppor...
davisvanguard.org
May 22, 2025 at 11:23 PM
RJA Primer in Practice

In People v. [Unidentified Mother], Judge Wolk found prima facie racial bias under CA's Racial Justice Act based on:

1️⃣ References to immigration status

2️⃣ Coded language framing the client as an outsider

➡️ Even misdemeanor cases can trigger the RJA

#RJA #PC745 #CaRJA
Court Watch: Judge Permits Racial Bias Claim to Advance in Minor Hit-and-Run Lawsuit - Davis Vanguard
A 50-year-old mother accused of misdemeanor hit-and-run was granted a claim under California's Racial Justice Act, allowing her to proceed with her case, after presenting sufficient evidence to suppor...
davisvanguard.org
May 21, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Significant Ruling in Contra Costa

The ruling clarifies that systemic disparities, supported by statistical evidence, can establish an RJA violation even without explicit racial intent. It emphasizes the use of charging patterns and data in litigating RJA claims, especially under § 745(a)(3).

#RJA
Judge finds Contra Costa DA’s filing practices are racist, dismisses gang charges in murder case
It is the second landmark ruling resulting in charges being dismissed due to alleged racism by Contra Costa County prosecutors.
www.eastbaytimes.com
April 28, 2025 at 8:28 PM