PJLC Works to Implement California’s Groundbreaking Racial Justice Act

The Peace and Justice Law Center (PJLC) is launching a new program area focused on implementing California’s Racial Justice Act (RJA), a landmark law intended to confront racial bias in the state’s criminal legal system. The RJA allows people to challenge prosecutions or sentences that were influenced by race, ethnicity, or national origin, creating new legal tools to address long-standing disparities.

This work reflects a strategic commitment by PJLC to ensure that major reforms do not remain only words on paper. While the RJA represents a significant shift in the law, its impact will depend on whether advocates have the capacity, data, and legal support needed to use it effectively in real cases.

PJLC’s decision to focus on RJA implementation builds on its broader work exposing racially biased practices, particularly in prosecutions relying on gang allegations. Those cases illustrate why strong enforcement of the RJA matters: without sustained legal pressure, biased decision-making can continue unchecked, even under new laws.

At this early stage, PJLC’s RJA work is about laying the foundation. That includes developing litigation strategies, supporting partners who will bring RJA claims, and pushing for transparency from prosecutors whose data and practices will be central to enforcing the law. Over time, this program area is intended to help translate the promise of the Racial Justice Act into measurable, system-wide change.