The California Legislature passed the Racial Justice Act (RJA) in 2020 to eliminate racial bias in the California criminal justice system. The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office created the Racial Justice Act Unit to address this new legislation in criminal cases. The RJA unit looks at historical bias in the criminal legal system and how it affects legal procedures, trials, charging and sentencing. The RJA unit works directly with trial lawyers to challenge discriminatory practices such as biased or racially coded language by individuals in a case or during trial or disparities in charging, convictions, and sentencing.
The RJA unit collaborates with community partners and attorneys from private, public, and federal practice to provide support, outreach, and training on the Racial Justice Act.
In 2023, the Racial Justice Act became retroactive now applies to certain post-conviction cases. The RJA unit is working diligently with clients in prison to obtain relief for people who experienced racism and/or bias in their case.
If you have questions about the California Racial Justice Act or you think you may have a RJA claim, you may email RJA@pubdef.lacounty.gov or call: