Criminal
Jun. 17, 2026
When rehabilitation and public safety collide: Lessons from the parole bench
California's elderly parole system has tilted too far toward releasing serious sex offenders, underscoring the need for stricter eligibility rules and greater transparency to protect public safety while preserving individualized review.
After more than 47 years as a California attorney, I have stood on both sides of the parole table. As a defense lawyer, I have fought for second chances for clients who showed genuine remorse and change. As a prosecutor, I have argued vigorously against the release of inmates who still posed a danger to the community. Those experiences in lifer parole hearings have left me convinced that California's current approach to elderly parole for serious sex offenders has swung too f...
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