Press Releases

2026

Criminal Justice Legal Foundation Announces Lawsuit to Stop New Release Process for Murderers Sentenced To Life Without the Possibility of Parole and Other Violent Criminals

CJLF to host a major press conference on Wed, July 15, to announce a lawsuit aimed at stopping new Parole Board regulations that could open the door to release for some of CA's most violent criminals.

Feb

2026

Request Filed Urging California Board of Parole Hearings to Reconsider Parole Grant to David Funston

CJLF and the CA District Attorneys' Association urge the Board of Parole Hearings to reconsider its parole grant to David Funston, citing serious public safety concerns and victim impact.

Jan

2026

CJLF Announces Appointment of Former Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert as Chief Executive Officer; Honors Retirement of Michael Rushford

CJLF appoints former Sacramento DA Anne Marie Schubert as CEO, succeeding longtime leader Michael Rushford. Schubert brings 30+ years as a prosecutor and victims' rights advocate.

2025

Mar

2025

Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Federal Law Limiting Appeals

CJLF joins Rivers v. Guerrero to defend Congress’s limits on repeat attacks on final convictions — opposing a child molester’s bid to reopen his case four years after it was decided.

Jun

2025

Supreme Court Closes Loophole in Federal Law Limiting Appeals

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously agrees with CJLF, closing a loophole that would have allowed convicted criminals to file repeat challenges to their sentences years after final judgment.

Jun

2025

Study: $380 Million Federally Funded Justice Reinvestment Initiative Fails to Deliver on Public Safety Promises

CJLF researchers find the $380M Justice Reinvestment Initiative produced little evidence of improving public safety — states cut prison populations while ignoring crime and recidivism outcomes.

Jul

2025

Appeals Court Blocks Early Release of Murderers

CA appeals court unanimously sides with CJLF, ruling state law does not authorize early release of murderers — invalidating regs that let convicted killers walk free before serving minimum terms.

Dec

2025

High Court to Hear Condemned Killer's Low IQ Claim

CJLF urges the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the death sentence of convicted Alabama murderer Joseph Clifton Smith, who robbed and killed Durk Van Dam with a hammer and power saw.

Criminal Justice Legal Foundation Announces Lawsuit to Stop New Release Process for Murderers Sentenced To Life Without the Possibility of Parole and Other Violent Criminals

Request Filed Urging California Board of Parole Hearings to Reconsider Parole Grant to David Funston

CJLF Announces Appointment of Former Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert as Chief Executive Officer; Honors Retirement of Michael Rushford

Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Federal Law Limiting Appeals

Supreme Court Closes Loophole in Federal Law Limiting Appeals

Study: $380 Million Federally Funded Justice Reinvestment Initiative Fails to Deliver on Public Safety Promises

Appeals Court Blocks Early Release of Murderers

High Court to Hear Condemned Killer's Low IQ Claim

Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Ruling Protecting Homeless Camps

CDCR Misleads Public on Supposed Benefits of Prop. 57

Supreme Court Rejects Murderer’s Bid for Early Release

Supreme Court to Hear Oral Argument Monday in Anti-Camping Ordinances Case

Supreme Court Restores Anti-Camping Ordinances

Supreme Court to Again Review Murderer’s Conviction

High Court to Review Internet Stalking Case

Supreme Court Upholds Limits on Challenges to Federal Convictions

Legal Group: Data Does Not Support Claim That Prop. 57 Reduces Recidivism

Judge: Lawsuit to Block Early Inmate Releases Can Continue

Judge Curbs Newsom’s Early Inmate Release Scheme

CA Supreme Court: Proposition 57 Does Not Allow Early Release of Violent Felons

Supreme Court Reinstates Boston Bomber's Death Sentence

Victims’ Group: California’s Early Release Plan Guarantees Increased Crime

Crime Victims’ Movement Being Hijacked by Pro-criminal Progressives

Supreme Court Reinstates Conviction of Michigan Murderer

Missouri to Execute Double Murderer

Supreme Court Overturns Ninth Circuit Rulings in Two Murder Cases

Gascón Loses Bid to Force Judges to Cut Criminals’ Sentences

Sacramento Judge Blocks Murderer’s Parole

Federal Study: Longer Sentences Reduce Recidivism

California Legislature Tries to Protect Gascón’s Sentence Reduction Policy

Supreme Court to Review Law Limiting Attacks on Federal Convictions

California Supreme Court to Review Bail Challenge

BJS Study Refutes Claim of Overall Racial Bias in Arrest Rates

Victims’ Group: Supreme Court Ruling on Juvenile Trials Undermines Direct Democracy and Public Safety

Victims’ Groups Challenge Gascón’s Statement That Crime Victims Don’t Want Tough Sentencing

Supreme Court Rejects Juvenile Murderer’s Sentencing Challenge

Research Review Debunks Key Gascón Claim

Study Debunks Claim That Lengthy Sentences Increase Recidivism

Victims’ Groups Join Lawsuit to Block Inmate Releases

California Supreme Court Rejects Murderer's Death Penalty Challenge

Violent Criminal Claims He Is Entitled to Early Release Under Proposition 57

Supreme Court to Review Ruling That Shackling Invalidates Murderer’s Conviction

Supreme Court to Review Ruling Overturning Boston Bomber’s Death Sentence

Supreme Court to Review Condemned Murderer’s Religious Rights Claim

Bonta and Gascón Collude to Overturn All Los Angeles Death Sentences

Supreme Court to Review Ninth Circuit Rulings in Two Murder Cases

Eighth Circuit to Hear Missouri Killer's Death Sentence Challenge

Supreme Court Upholds Decision to Prohibit Cross-Border Shooting Case

Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence for Double Murderer

High Court Reviews Ruling Expanding Rights of Illegal Aliens

Victims' group: Progressive Policies Enabled Rioters

High Court Overturns Ruling Blocking Expedited Deportations

Court Rejects Double Murderer’s Sentencing Challenge

Supreme Court to Hear Juvenile Murderer’s Sentencing Challenge

Supreme Court to Hear Juvenile Murderer’s Sentencing Challenge

LA District Attorney George Gascón Announces Policies to Protect Criminals and Abandon Victims

LA Deputy District Attorneys Sue Gascón for Blocking Enforcement of State Law

Ninth Circuit Reinstates Double Murderer’s Conviction

Becerra Joins Murderers to Preserve Execution Delays

Newsom’s Reprieve Is a Slap in the Face of Victims and California Voters

Supreme Court Upholds Detention of Criminal Aliens

Appeals Court Dismisses Suit Against Ferguson, Missouri Officer

Supreme Court to Hear Child Molester's Appeal

High Court to Hear D.C. Sniper Sentencing Challenge

Supreme Court to Hear Death Penalty Challenge