While a student with PCJP, Nina won a hard-fought appeal in California's First District Court of Appeal pertaining to juvenile culpability and the felony-murder law in California.
Through litigation and, most broadly, through legislation, PCJP has led the way toward hope for incarcerated youth. Since 2008, PCJP has written or co-sponsored nearly every juvenile justice bill in California.
Former PCJP client and transgender rights advocate Celia Perez and Homeboy Industries founder Father Gregory Boyle shared stories of boundless compassion and healing before a captivated audience at Newman Hall on March 1, 2022. “Celia taught me that it was actually the power of kinship – loving herself and the…
We are so excited to share that on January 13, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom issued “a full and unconditional pardon” to former PCJP client Romarilyn Ralston! The Governor recognized that Romarilyn has “transformed her life” and “dedicated herself to supporting and advocating for her community.” PCJP represented Romarilyn in several…
Post-Conviction Justice Project changes lives of two clients By Lauren Rogers and Heidi Rummel Students in the Post-Conviction Justice Project, headed by Professors Michael Brennan and Heidi Rummel, recently won life-changing victories for two clients. William and Jerome were both teenagers tried as adults and sentenced to die in prison (juvenile life without…
Twenty-two years into a life sentence for a crime committed as a teen, a former gang member found hope with the help of USC legal advocates.
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The Post-Conviction Justice Project brought former clients and USC Gould students together for a discussion, "Racial Injustice in the Criminal System," Nov. 6.
As Black Lives Matter draws national attention to the pervasive systemic racism of the U.S. criminal system, USC’s Post-Conviction Justice Project continues to work on the front lines, in June freeing three life-sentenced clients from state prisons.
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On April 9 USC Gould School of Law student Simone Rudolf-Dib won a parole grant for her client at his initial youth offender hearing in PCJP’s first-ever virtual parole hearing. Her client was formerly sentenced to life without possibility of parole and commuted by Governor Jerry Brown in 2018. Like so many…
Former juvenile lifer client Louis shared his story for Homeboy Industries: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=181986496375414 "To be walking through that tunnel, with no light at the other side was, like, the worst feeling ever. All I know is my life was filled with hopelessness, fear and despair."