Public defenders have been fighting for the Racial Justice Act

To the editor: This current article asserts that the Racial Justice Act “has hardly been used” (“18 prisoners seek reduced sentences under California’s rarely used Racial Justice Act,” Nov. 20). I used to be stunned by this characterization given the hundreds of Racial Justice Act claims which have been filed in superior and appellate courts throughout California. Actually, my workplace has filed and argued a number of instances with Racial Justice Act claims within the California Supreme Court docket this time period alone.

Throughout the state, incarcerated individuals, and a whole bunch of public defenders, have undertaken herculean efforts to provide life to the Racial Justice Act’s promise. Day by day, in prisons, jails and courtrooms, Racial Justice Act motions are drafted, data compiled and arguments made. Few of those instances have the sources of an establishment like Stanford Regulation College behind them, however they’re no much less worthy, and the individuals bringing them no much less deserving of recognition.

Addressing a long time of racial disparities would require a broad coalition. However as with many reforms, California’s public defenders have led this work — quietly, with restricted sources — to serve their purchasers and strengthen our justice system for all.

Galit Lipa, Culver Metropolis
This author is the state public defender on the Workplace of the State Public Defender.