PJLC Wins Data Release in Public Records Act Lawsuit

The Peace and Justice Law Center (PJLC), alongside Chicanxs Unidxs and the ACLU Foundations of Southern and Northern California, has secured the release of the most extensive set of prosecutorial data ever disclosed in California. The data, obtained through a Public Records Act lawsuit against Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, provides an unprecedented window into charging, conviction, and sentencing practices spanning more than a decade.

The release follows a tentative court ruling in favor of PJLC’s clients. Rather than face a formal order, the District Attorney’s Office chose to turn over the records it had long claimed were confidential. The disclosure includes more than 200 Excel spreadsheets with millions of data points documenting prosecutorial decisions across Orange County.

This data matters because it allows, for the first time at this scale, a systematic examination of racial disparities in convictions and sentencing. In California, the Racial Justice Act was enacted to prevent prosecutions and punishments based on race. But without access to comprehensive data, enforcing that law has been difficult. This release changes that.

PJLC intends to use the data to bring targeted test cases that will help courts give real meaning to the Racial Justice Act. The data will also serve as a foundation for future RJA litigation brought by the broader criminal defense bar, helping ensure that racial bias is identified and addressed across the system.

At its core, this case is about accountability. A criminal legal system in which jails are overwhelmingly filled with people of color raises serious questions about fairness and legality. By forcing transparency, this lawsuit equips impacted communities, advocates, and attorneys with the tools needed to challenge unlawful disparities.

PJLC’s work is not finished. The organization continues to litigate for the release of additional non-data records, including prosecutorial training materials and internal policies, which are critical to understanding how charging decisions are made. Together, these efforts form the backbone of PJLC’s long-term strategy to enforce the Racial Justice Act and reduce racial harm in California’s criminal legal system.

https://voiceofoc.org/2022/11/is-orange-countys-da-hiding-evidence-of-racial-bias-in-prosecutions/