The Criminal Justice Legal Foundation (CJLF) has filed a lawsuit against California's new parole board policy, which could allow for resentencing or clemency for individuals serving life sentences without parole, including serial killers and mass shooters. The policy is set to take effect later this year. Anne Marie Schubert, president of the CJLF and former Sacramento District Attorney, argues that the board has exceeded its authority by implementing this policy, which she claims violates Marsy's Law, a constitutional provision aimed at ensuring the finality of judgments for victims. The lawsuit, filed in Sacramento's Superior Court, seeks to halt the implementation of the policy before it goes into effect in October.
The policy has raised concerns among victims' families, including those of Laci Peterson, who was murdered in 2002. Her mother, Sharon Rocha, expressed that the new policy could lead to uncertainty for victims' families regarding the finality of sentences. The CJLF's lawsuit argues that the board's actions contradict existing California laws that mandate life without parole as the minimum sentence for certain crimes.
The board has defended its actions, stating that existing state law does not prohibit it from considering individuals sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for commutation or resentencing. The board maintains that it has the discretion to evaluate these cases. The lawsuit highlights the emotional toll on victims' families, who may have to relive traumatic experiences due to the new review process.