Informational Resources

English, California, Post-Conviction Challenges Kevin Hoelscher English, California, Post-Conviction Challenges Kevin Hoelscher

"Collateral Challenges" to California Criminal Convictions

Information about the different types of petitions for challenging a criminal conviction or sentence in addition to or instead of a direct appeal.

This resource is available in Spanish as “Impugnaciones 'colaterales' a las condenas penales de California” on our Spanish resources page.

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Compassionate Release

Information about how a person might get released from prison through resentencing if they (1) have a serious and advanced medical condition with an end-of-life trajectory, (2) are permanently medically incapacitated with a medical condition or functional impairment that makes them permanently unable to complete activities of basic daily living, or (3) have progressive end-stage dementia.

This resource is available in Spanish as “Liberación compasiva” on our Spanish resources page.

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English, California, Post-Conviction Challenges Kevin Hoelscher English, California, Post-Conviction Challenges Kevin Hoelscher

Changes to Laws on Enhancements and Sentences

A summary of some of the changes to the laws on sentences and enhanements in the past few years and whether those laws apply to people convicted before the new laws took effect.

This resource is available in Spanish as “Cambios en las leyes sobre aumentos de condenas y sobre sentencias” on our Spanish resources page.

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California State Court Habeas Corpus Petitions

Information and forms for filing a state habeas corpus petition. A state habeas corpus petition can be used to challenge policies or actions by prison or jail staff or (in some circumstances) to challenge a criminal conviction or sentence.

This resource is available in Spanish as “Peticiones de hábeas corpus ante el Tribunal Estatal de California” on our Spanish resources page.

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Looking for more information?

Please see our cases page and advocacy page for more information on PLO’s current litigation and advocacy projects.