The PJLC Represents Chicanxs Unidxs and ACLU in Racial Justice Data Lawsuit

Chicanxs Unidxs and the ACLU Foundations of Southern California and Northern California, represented by the Peace and Justice Law Center, filed suit against OC District Attorney Todd Spitzer for violating the state's Public Records Act by refusing to release documents concerning the county's implementation of the Racial Justice Act.

The Racial Justice Act, passed in 2020, prohibits the state from pursuing convictions or sentences based upon race, ethnicity, or national origin and allows people to challenge proceedings that may have been tainted by racial bias. An ACLU report based on 2017/18 data showed persistent racial disparities in prosecutions by the OCDA. Last June, District Attorney Todd Spitzer gained notoriety as the only district attorney found to have violated the Racial Justice Act through his personal actions. This lawsuit seeks to prove that, in response to the public's increasing demands for information regarding racism in Orange County's criminal justice system, the OCDA now has a policy and practice of unlawfully refusing any public request for data that would demonstrate the OCDA's compliance or non-compliance with the Racial Justice Act.

ACLU sues DA Spitzer for 'stonewalling' on release of racial bias records. OC Register.

ACLU sues OC District Attorney Over Racial Justice Act Documents. KFI.