PEACE AND JUSTICE LAW CENTER

Programs

1. The organization's largest program service by expense is its Human and Civil Rights Defense Program. Through public-interest litigation, legal advocacy, and related pro bono legal assistance, the program protects civil rights, promotes government accountability, combats discrimination, and advances public safety and community well-being. Most clients are indigent individuals or nonprofit organizations and have no financial interest in the outcome of the litigation. Attorney fees are sought only when authorized by applicable fee-shifting statutes and are payable by opposing parties rather than clients. In 2025, the organization concluded Chicanxs Unidxs v. Spitzer, a public-records action brought on behalf of three nonprofit organizations seeking prosecutorial records necessary to enforce the California Racial Justice Act. The litigation advanced public access to government information and efforts to eliminate racial discrimination in the criminal legal system. Attorney fees were awarded pursuant to the fee-shifting provisions of the California Public Records Act. The organization also continued litigation challenging Orange County's longstanding gang-injunction practices in People…

   $136,687 spentof which $14,300 as grants$162,373 earned by the program
   46% of program spending

2. The organization's second largest program service by expense is its Education and Public-Interest Information Program. Through community education, professional training, coalition facilitation, policy research, and public-interest communications, the program advances public understanding of civil rights, criminal justice, youth justice, community safety, and government transparency. All activities in this program are conducted without charge. During 2025, the organization continued to lead joint meetings of the Decriminalizing Neighborhoods Network and the California Alliance for Youth and Community Justice. These statewide coalitions meet regularly to examine and promote public-health approaches to reducing community violence and state violence, with a particular focus on youth. In 2025, the organization led a two-day webinar for gang intervention workers on how to protect themselves from false accusations of continued gang involvement. Through these coalition and training activities, the organization promoted public education, shared research on community safety, and supported nonpunitive violence-prevention strategies. In 2025, the organization also launched a public…

   $128,143 spentof which $64,950 as grants
   43% of program spending

3. The organization's third largest program service is a violence-reduction legal-services program for individuals transitioning out of gang involvement or affected by gang-suppression enforcement. The program is funded through California's CalVIP initiative and is designed to evaluate whether addressing civil legal barriers can support successful community reintegration and reduce violence. Through direct legal services and coordination with community-based service providers, the program promotes public safety, reduces community deterioration, and helps participants overcome barriers to economic stability and lawful participation in community life. The program addresses legal issues that can impede successful reintegration, including gang injunctions, diversion-program navigation, driver's license holds, wage garnishments, child-support arrears, and immigration-related matters. During 2025, the organization maintained an active caseload of approximately 9 to 14 participants at any given time, with participants receiving services for approximately one year on average. Services included outreach to individuals exiting gangs, comprehensive legal assessments, direct representation in…

   $34,170 spentof which $18,866 as grants
   11% of program spending

4. Other program services, not described on the e-filed return.

   $0 spent
   0% of program spending

The 4 programs described on its FY2025 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $299,000.