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#JusticeBriefs2025 • ACLU

Federal Judge demonstrates the power of temporary restraining orders when the U.S. Constitution is violated

July 20, 2025
#JusticeBriefs2025

Three Members of the LA County Sheriff’s Department Killed Friday Described as The Best of the Best.

July 18, 2025
#Documented/Undocumented • #ProtectingDueProcess

Mayor Bass & a list of mayors of So Cal cities join in federal civil rights lawsuit against Trump’s militarization of immigration

July 9, 2025
Civil Liberties

May your 4th of July weekend be a safe one, and may you find joy in these strange times.

July 4, 2025
#JusticeBriefs

Three judges from the 9th Circuit weigh in on the Trump v. Newsom battle over CA’s National Guard

June 20, 2025
#NoSafePlace

LA County Pays $2.7 million to teenager who was the victim of “Gladiator” fights at youth hall

June 5, 2025
DCFS • Foster Care • LASD

Should LA Sheriff’s Deputies be Criminally Charged or Fired for Failure to Act in Torture Death of 8-Year-old Gabriel Fernandez?

January 3, 2017
25 Comments

WHAT ABOUT THE DEPUTIES? The torture death of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez in May of 2013...

Life and Life Only

WLA Dark This Week, But Back in Full Force on January 3

December 27, 2016
1 Comment

WitnessLA is dark this week unless there’s news we simply cannot avoid. Then we will be back...

Sheriff Lee Baca • The Trial of Lee Baca • Uncategorized

Hung Jury in Baca Trial – “Unable to reach a Verdict,” Deadlocked at 11 /1 for Acquittal

December 22, 2016
43 Comments

BACA JURY HANGS At approximate 2:15, Judge Percy Anderson announced that the foreperson of the jury...

Sheriff Lee Baca • The Trial of Lee Baca

THE TRIAL OF LEE BACA – The Jury Deliberates

December 21, 2016
6 Comments

NOTES & QUESTIONS The jury in the trial of former Los Angeles County sheriff Lee Baca entered...

Life and Life Only

Witness LA Has Moved (Obviously) But We’re Still Unpacking (While We’re at Court)

December 20, 2016
8 Comments

EDITOR’S NOTE: Hi everyone, Welcome to WitnessLA’s new home. We feel like we’ve moved from a...

Sheriff Lee Baca • The Trial of Lee Baca

Lee Baca Trial: The Prosecution Rests With Fed Judge’s Account of Furious Sheriff, and the Defense Calls a Speedy List of Character Witnesses

December 19, 2016
8 Comments

THE TRIAL OF LEE BACA: The Prosecution Rests With a Window Into Baca’s Anger, and the Defense...

Prosecutors • Sentencing • Uncategorized

US Dept. of Justice Launches Investigation into OC Prosecutorial Misconduct Scandal

December 15, 2016
7 Comments

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a civil pattern-or-practice investigation...

LA County Board of Supervisors • Los Angeles County • Uncategorized • Women's Issues

New Initiative to Reduce Gender-Based Disparities in LA County

December 14, 2016
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WOMEN AND GIRLS FACE UNIQUE DISADVANTAGES IN LA COUNTY’S CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND FOSTER CARE...

LASD • Sheriff Lee Baca • The Trial of Lee Baca

The Trial of Lee Baca – Day 3: A Colleague’s Warning & a Convicted Deputy Shows the High Cost of Following Orders

December 13, 2016
31 Comments

LEE BACA, DAY THREE: “WE’RE THE SUSPECTS” There were several big moments in the...

Jail • Uncategorized

$3.6 Million for the Family of a Murdered Santa Clara Jail Inmate

December 13, 2016
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Santa Clara County has agreed to pay a $3.6 million settlement to the family of 31-year-old Michael...

LASD • Sheriff Lee Baca • The Trial of Lee Baca

Updates on the Lee Baca Trial Coming This Weekend – UPDATED

December 8, 2016
3 Comments

UPDATE: Dearest WitnessLA readers, Please forgive the slow pace of my Baca trial updates. I have...

LASD • Supreme Court • Uncategorized

Are Cops Liable When They “Provoke” Violent Encounters? SCOTUS May Soon Decide.

December 8, 2016
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The US Supreme Court has decided to hear a case centering around liability for an officer-involved...

DCFS • Foster Care

LA County DCFS Director Announces Retirement

December 8, 2016
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Philip Browning, head of the LA County Department of Children and Family Services, announced in a...

Homelessness • Immigration & Justice • Jim McDonnell • LA County Board of Supervisors • LASD

LA County Supes Pass Homelessness, Immigration Motions

December 7, 2016
2 Comments

SUPES DECLARE HOMELESSNESS AN EMERGENCY, APPROVE A BALLOT INITIATIVE TO RAISE SALES TAX On Tuesday...

Crossover Youth • DCFS • Foster Care

PBS SoCal Shines an Important Narrative-Focused Spotlight on Child Welfare

December 6, 2016
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PBS SoCal has unveiled a new public media project called “To Foster Change” that will...

The Trial of Lee Baca

Judge Rules That Lee Baca Will Now Have Two Trials. (No. We Are Not Kidding.)

December 5, 2016
14 Comments

THE CASE OF THE MULTIPLYING FEDERAL TRIALS On Friday, government prosecutors filed a motion asking...

Juvenile Justice • Mental Health • Reentry • Uncategorized

Orange County Wraparound Program Slashes Youth Recidivism by Focusing on Mental Health – by Sara Tiano

December 5, 2016
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Manuel Dircio and Jesus Vasquez, both 20, are star alumni of the Youthful Offender Wraparound in...

LASD • Sheriff Lee Baca • The Trial of Lee Baca

As Former LA County Sheriff Lee Baca’s Trial Approaches….

December 2, 2016
12 Comments

LEE BACA GOES TO TRIAL Jury selection starts next Tuesday for the federal trial of Leroy Baca, the...

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