Racial Justice Act

Question 1

Is the prosecution’s use of the terms “monster” and “predator” a violation of the RJA?

Answer 1

No.

(People v. Quintero (2024) __ Cal.Rptr.3d __, 2024 WL526946.)

Question 2

Was a prosecutor’s comment that a defendant’s house wasn’t searched because he was a famous black man a violation of the RJA?

Answer 2

Yes.

(People v. Stubblefield (2024) __ Cal.Rptr.3d __; 2024 WL5231745.)

Question 3

Can biased language during trial violate the RJA?

Answer 3

Yes.

(Penal Code section 745 subd. (a)(2).

Question 4

Can biased language outside the courtroom violate the RJA?

Answer 4

Yes.

(Penal Code section 745 subd. (a)(1).

Question 5

Can overfiling because of race violate the RJA?

Answer 5

Yes.

(Penal Code section 745 subd. (a)(3).)

Question 6

Can longer or more severe sentences because of race violate the RJA?

Answer 6

Yes.

(Penal Code section 745 subd. (a)(4).)

Question 7

What does Penal Code section 741 do?

Answer 7

It provides “Race-Blind Charging” guidelines.