Information on legal actions for challenging a parole denial, rescission or reversal, including common legal issues that can be raised

Information on BPH hearing procedures, including an overview of the California parole process from UnCommon Law, an organization that provides advocacy and support for people in the parole hearing process.

This resource is available in Spanish as “Como entender el proceso y como prepararse para las audiencias de la Junta de Libertad Condicional” on our Spanish resources page.

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.

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.

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.

Information about early parole consideration for some people who are over the age of 50 (or in some cases 60).

This resource is available in Spanish as “Programa de libertad condicional para el adulto mayor” 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.

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

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 Governor's website information and forms for requesting a pardons or commutation

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

Information on early parole consideration ("Prop. 57 parole") for some people serving sentences for non-violent crimes.

This resource is available in Spanish as “Consideración de libertad condicional para el ‘delincuente no violento’” on our Spanish resources page.

Information on resentencing per Penal Code § 1172.1 pursuant to a recommendation (by CDCR, a county jail administrator, or the DA) or a person's request.

This resource is available in Spanish as “Nueva sentencia en interés de la justicia” on our Spanish resources page.

Information about recent laws concerning collection of restitution, fees, and fines that are imposed as part of a criminal sentence

This non-profit organization has a hotline and publishes resources about re-rentry to the community

Information about special parole rules and registration requirements for people with sex offenses listed in Penal Code § 290)

U.S. Supreme Court Guide to Filing In Forma Pauperis Cases, for filing a petition for asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a case following completion of lower court appeal and/or writ processes