FEATURED CASE
1. Help Our Featured Case
Each cycle we spotlight the one case with the highest Media Effect score — our public, transparent measure of Significance + Novelty + Reach + Timeliness (see methodology). The feature is chosen by the numbers, and it changes as the scores change.
Right now that case is People v. James Jacobs (Media Effect 87 — the highest on our ranked case list): a first-of-its-kind prosecution in which the responding officer called the matter civil, the DA's star witness has 11 pending firearms charges, and the DA made false statements to the media.
Ways to help the featured case:
- Support the legal defense — donate to the defense fund (launching soon).
- File a State Bar complaint against the prosecutor for false media statements — Stephen M. Wagstaffe, Bar #78470 (Rules 3.6 & 3.8). Use the complaint template below.
- Contact property-rights advocates — Pacific Legal Foundation (takes cases free), Institute for Justice, CA Apartment Association (see Organizations).
- Share it — post on X · copy link.
The featured case rotates with the Media Effect ranking — browse every case we track.
2. Defend Your Own Case
If you or someone you love is facing charges, these free tools and rights apply to any California case:
- Replace a failing public defender (Marsden motion). At your next appearance, say: “Your Honor, I am making a Marsden motion.” The room is cleared and you explain specific failures — missed meetings, no investigation, pressure to plea without reviewing discovery. It is the only way to replace a court-appointed attorney in California, and it can be filed at any stage.
- Check if you’re being overcharged. 95% of cases end in plea deals — charge-stacking is how DAs force them. Take the free Overcharging Assessment →
- Track your speedy-trial clock. Speedy Trial Calculator →
- Weigh a plea offer. Plea Analyzer →
- Never talk to police or the DA without counsel. Politely state you are invoking your right to remain silent and to an attorney — then stop.
3. File a Misconduct Complaint — Attorney or Judge
Anyone can report misconduct. Prosecutors and defense attorneys are reported to the State Bar; judges to the Commission on Judicial Performance (CJP).
Attorney (State Bar): file at calbar.ca.gov. Name the attorney and bar number, describe the conduct with dates, and cite the rules (e.g., 1.1 Competence, 3.6 Trial Publicity, 3.8 Prosecutor’s Special Responsibilities).
Judge (CJP): file at cjp.ca.gov. Give the judge’s name and court, describe exactly what was said or done (focus on facts, not conclusions), and attach documents. In 2024 the CJP removed 1 judge, censured 2, and admonished 6.
Show ready-to-use complaint templates
State Bar complaint (attorney):
State Bar of California
Office of Chief Trial Counsel
845 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017
RE: Complaint Against [Attorney Name], Bar No. [Number]
Dear Office of Chief Trial Counsel:
I am filing a formal complaint against [Attorney Name], [title/role] in [County] County.
FACTS: On [date(s)], [Attorney Name] engaged in the following conduct:
1. [Specific act of misconduct with dates and details]
2. [Second act if applicable]
RULES VIOLATED: California Rules of Professional Conduct
- Rule 1.1 (Competence) - Rule 1.3 (Diligence) - Rule 1.4 (Communication)
- Rule 3.6 (Trial Publicity) [if applicable]
- Rule 3.8 (Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor) [if applicable]
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE: [List attached documents/transcripts]
I respectfully request that the State Bar investigate this matter.
Sincerely, [Your Name] / [Contact Information]
CJP complaint (judge):
Commission on Judicial Performance
455 Golden Gate Avenue, Suite 14400, San Francisco, CA 94102
RE: Complaint Against Judge [Name] — [County] County Superior Court
Case No: [if applicable]
Dear Commission:
WHAT HAPPENED: On [date], during a hearing in case [number], Judge [Name] did:
1. [Exactly what the judge said or did]
2. [Direct quotes if possible] 3. [Who witnessed it]
WHY THIS IS MISCONDUCT: [How it denied rights, showed bias, or was abusive]
IMPACT: [How it affected you or the proceedings]
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: [Transcripts/recordings attached]
I request that the Commission investigate this matter.
Sincerely, [Your Name] / [Contact Information] / [Relationship to the case]
4. Request Public Records
The California Public Records Act gives you the right to request almost any government record — prosecution data, officer complaint and Brady records, body-cam footage, settlement payments, budgets, and emails — from any of the 58 counties.
- Generate a CPRA letter in minutes, properly formatted and legally cited. CPRA Request Generator →
- Police personnel / misconduct records: in a criminal case, a Pitchess motion can compel an officer’s complaint history; SB 1421/SB 16 also make many use-of-force and dishonesty records public by CPRA.
5. Organizations That Can Help
Groups that take cases, sue for reform, or defend specific rights — many for free:
6. Submit a Case
Are you or someone you know facing prosecutorial injustice — overcharging, false statements, withheld evidence, property-rights violations, or abuse of power? We investigate.
Email: cajusticewatch [at] gmail [dot] com or post on the Forum.
Include the case number, county, charges, what happened, and any evidence of misconduct.
7. Contact Your Representatives
Lawmakers respond to constituents. Tell them California needs prosecutorial accountability and fair charging.
- Find your legislators: findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov
- Support prosecutorial-accountability and public-defense-funding legislation
- Track relevant bills (e.g., squatter-enforcement and trial-penalty reform) and ask for your representative’s position
8. Spread the Word
Sunlight is the deterrent. The more people see how these cases really unfold, the harder misconduct becomes.
9. Attend Court — Become a Court-Watcher
Hearings are public, and judges and prosecutors behave differently when the gallery is full. Showing up is one of the most effective, lowest-cost forms of accountability.
- Find hearing dates on the county Superior Court’s online case portal, or call the clerk with the case number
- Sit in the gallery, take notes (dates, names, what was said), and stay respectful of courtroom rules
- Report what you saw to us via the Forum — firsthand accounts strengthen our case files
10. Support CA Justice Watch
We are nonpartisan and built on public records. Help us cover more of California’s 58 counties:
- Become a member for case alerts and tools. Join →
- Volunteer — court-watching, records requests, research, and data entry. Reach out via the Forum.
- Contribute data — send us settlement records, Brady lists, or misconduct findings you uncover.
11. Know Your Rights
Knowing these in advance protects you and creates a record:
- You can record police in public — it is protected First Amendment activity in California.
- You do not have to answer questions. Say you are invoking the right to remain silent and want a lawyer, then stop talking.
- You have the right to counsel at every critical stage. If appointed counsel is failing you, see the Marsden option in Defend Your Own Case.
- Document everything — dates, names, badge numbers, witnesses. Contemporaneous notes carry weight later.