Gov. Jerry Brown signed two pieces of legislation that will significantly impact those behind bars, and a third that will provide aid to undocumented high school students.
Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) authored SB 687, which restricts the use of uncorroborated testimony by jailhouse informants in criminal cases. The use of informant testimony has been identified as the leading cause for wrongful convictions in capital cases, according to a 2004 report examining California’s justice system.
Mike Davis (D-Los Angeles) authored AB 420. It requires that prisoners be counted in their home districts for redistricting purposes.
Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) authored AB 131, which makes undocumented students who have attended a California high school for three years or who have graduated from a California high school eligible to receive financial aid, if they apply for legal immigration status.
