Staff reporter Madison Alvarado spoke on KALW’s townhall panel addressing homelessness.
Monthly Archives: November 2023
Posted inDomestic Violence, Law & Justice
California’s Court Reporter Shortage Limits Access to Justice in Domestic Violence Cases
Advocates for women’s and children’s rights say providing free or low-cost access to transcripts in hearings is key to equal justice. Unlike many states, California has in recent years repeatedly failed to guarantee adequate documentations of court proceedings, putting victims of domestic violence at a distinct legal disadvantage.
Despite failing for years to make transcripts standard practice, the Legislature may be headed for a breakthrough.
Posted inCalifornia, Coercive Control, Domestic Violence, Government & Politics, Law & Justice
Children Violently Removed by Court Order Celebrate New California Bill Prohibiting Practice
Two children who were violently removed from their grandmother’s Santa Cruz home in October 2022 and placed into a court-ordered program to recant parental abuse allegations celebrated a victory last month when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill prohibiting such programs.
On Oct. 13, Maya, 16, and Sebastian Laing, 12, and their allies celebrated the passage of Senate Bill 331, aka Piqui’s Law, which prohibits California family court judges from forcing kids into so-called reunification camps and ensures that judges and those serving as expert witnesses undergo critical training on domestic violence and child custody.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, City Hall, Health, Overdose Crisis
City Officials Lack Urgency to Prevent Overdose Deaths, Say Safe Consumption Proponents
Several weeks after a crucial legal hurdle blocking safe consumption sites in San Francisco was seemingly resolved, proponents said they were dismayed that city leaders and public health officials were still not greenlighting centers that could reduce deaths related to drug use.
Overdose deaths have reached 620 this year — on track to have the highest annual tally since counting began, with fentanyl causing the vast majority of fatalities, according to the chief medical examiner’s latest report.