How people in custody or supervision can ask for disability accommodations and report violations of their disability rights by any public agency.

This resource is available in Spanish as “Información sobre la ADA” on our Spanish resources page.

Form for complaining about problems with a lawyer, such as failure to communicate, ineffective assistance, and over-billing

Link to California Council of the Blind resources list

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.

How to file a notice of appeal from a criminal judgment and contact information for the state appellate defense offices.

This resource is available in Spanish as “Apelaciones directas a condenas penales de California” on our Spanish resources page.

This non-profit organization publishes some resources for people incarcerated in prisons and jails, including a Racial Justice Act Guide and information on resentencing laws

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.

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.

Link to the California State Independent Living Council's list of independent living centers that assist people with diabilities

Includes a Prison to Ice to Freedom manual prepared by Asian Law Causcus.

This resource is available in Spanish as “Información de inmigración para personas encarceladas” on our Spanish resources page.

Describes the credits available to people serving county jail sentences for felonies, and how they are different from credits available to people serving CDCR prison terms

Summary of why and how to file a grievance about policies or actions by jail staff, which also may be required to preserve your rights to file a legal case.

This resource is available in Spanish as “Presentación de una queja en una cárcel del condado” on our Spanish resources page.

Tips on how to look for a lawyer to take a case, plus information on when courts may appoint a lawyer.

This resource is available in Spanish as “Información sobre solicitudes de recomendación de abogado” on our Spanish resources page.

This non-profit organization publishes resources for people in prisons and jails, including a detailed Incarcerated Parents Manual that discusses child custody, child visitation, and divorce issues

Link to the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians complaint information and forms

Link to the Medical Board of California complaint information and forms

Information about how to ask to have a murder, attempted murder, or manslaughter conviction reduced under new laws that took effect in 2019 and 2022 (SB 1437 and SB 775).

This resource is available in Spanish as “Nuevas leyes sobre asesinato” on our Spanish resources page.

Link to the California Court's self-help page on how to change your name(Note: We have a separate resource on the special rules for transgender people who want to change their name and gender.)

Information on the types of issues that can be raised and legal actions that can be brought to challenge a conviction or sentence after entering a guilty or no contest plea

Link to the court's Handbook for people bringing their own lawsuits, such as federal civil rights (§ 1983) cases