2024-10-30T19:25:10-07:00 2023-12-31 990 2023-01-01 861981490 PEACE AND JUSTICE LAW CENTER PEAC 3234902412 2501 E Chapman Ave Suite 245 Fullerton CA 92831 Sean Garcia-Leys Co-Executive Director 3234902412 2024-05-13 1 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z Sean Garcia-Leys 2501 E Chapman Ave Suite 245 Fullerton CA 92831 585167 0 X www.pjlawcenter.org X 2021 CA To advance community safety and constitutional rights. 8 8 4 12 0 0 92000 583293 0 0 474 1874 0 0 92474 585167 4200 0 0 0 140061 177215 0 0 8860 32483 32751 176744 209966 -84270 375201 25867 410337 6169 0 19698 410337 To advance community safety and constitutional rights, including the causes of equal protection under the law and the advancement of First Amendment rights, exclusively for charitable and educational purposes in accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 0 0 90136 291646 The PJLC's first program area, as measured by expense, is human and civil rights defense. In 2023, the PJLC contributed to the defense of human and civil rights by litigating a gang injunction case in Orange County, by litigating two lawsuits demanding public records relating to civil rights and policing, and by threatening to sue state regulators for failing to enforce minimum standards in Los Angeles' juvenile halls. In the case of People v. Townsend Street, the PJLC represented two individuals whom the district attorney sought to subject to an unlawful "gang injunction." One client prevailed in the trial court and the appeal of the second client's loss may result in the dissolution of an injunction that directly affects scores of defendants. Because the district attorney's gang injunction program is unlawful, counterproductive, and racially discriminatory, this litigation will benefit the public generally by contributing to the defense of human and civil rights secured by law, the elimination of prejudice and discrimination, and combatting community deterioration and juvenile delinquency. Of the PJLC's two clients in this matter, one is indigent and the other is not. However, the matter deals with an injunction and so the PJLC's client has not financial interest in the outcome. The PJLC has not yet sought any fees in the matter from the PJLC's client's opposing party. The second case, ACLU v. Inglewood Police Department, is a case in which the PJLC represents another organization, the American Civil Liberties Union, and an individual in a case seeking a judicial order that the Inglewood Police Department must make public certain documents it considers confidential. Because this litigation involves investigations into numerous civil rights violations by the Inglewood Police Department and will help settle questions of statutory interpretation common to disputes over whether police documents are confidential, this case will benefit the public by contributing to the defense of human and civil rights secured by law, and the elimination of prejudice and discrimination. The PJLC's clients in this matter are not indigent, but the matter deals with injunctive relief and so the PJLC's clients have no financial interest in the outcome. The relief sought includes an award of attorneys' fees from the opposing party. The third case, Chicanxs Unidxs v. Spitzer, is a case in which the PJLC represents three organizations, Chicanxs Unidxs and two chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union, all of whom seek a judicial order that the Orange County District Attorney must make public certain documents it considers confidential. Because this litigation involves investigations into racial disparities in prosecutions necessary to implement California's Racial Justice Act, this case will benefit the public by contributing to the defense of human and civil rights secured by law, and the elimination of prejudice and discrimination. The PJLC's clients in this matter are not indigent, but the matter deals with injunctive relief and so the PJLC's clients have no financial interest in the outcome. The relief sought includes an award of attorneys' fees from the opposing party. The final case involves the threat of lawsuit against the California Board of State and Community Corrections for failing to enforce minimum standards in Los Angeles' juvenile halls. Following pre-litigation negotiations, the BSCC closed down two juvenile halls and Los Angeles opened a new juvenile hall. This action will benefit the public generally by contributing to the defense of human and civil rights secured by law, and combatting community deterioration and juvenile delinquency. The PJLC's client in this matter is not indigent. However, the matter deals with an issue of great public importance and the PJLC's client has not financial interest in the outcome. The PJLC did no seek an award of attorneys' fees in this matter. 45068 145823 The PJLC's second program area, as measured by expense, is education. In 2023, the PJLC continued to convene the Decriminalizing Neighborhoods Network, a network of organizations and individuals committed to educating the public about gang participation and law enforcement's gang suppression activities as a broad topic. As part of this work, the PJLC engaged in nonpartisan research into the effects of California's Assembly Bill 333, which revised the definition of a criminal street gang in the state's Penal Code. By analyzing data from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and local data won in the public records lawsuit described above, the PJLC was able to conduct presentations to advocacy organizations across California on the effect of AB 333. The PJLC also engaged in ad hoc nonpartisan presentations to community on broad issues of civil rights and criminal justice law, particularly as relate to California's Racial Justice Act. 45067 145823 The PJLC's third program area is legal aid. The PJLC provided legal aid to a dozen individuals in 2023. This legal aid includes comprehensive civil legal services provided to indigent clients, many of whom are formerly gang-involved. This program is funded by a state grant for violence prevention. In addition, the PJLC continues to offer counsel as well as court and administrative representation to indigent clients regarding issues including gang injunctions and police misconduct. 0 0 0 180271 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 8 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 CA X X Peace and Justice Law Center 3234902412 2501 E Chapman Ave Sute 245 Fullerton CA 92831 Sean Garcia-Leys Co-Executive Director 40 0 X 114654 0 0 Patrick Palma President, Board of Directors 1 0 X X 0 0 0 Jesse Engel Treasurer, Board of Directors 1 0 X X 0 0 0 Belinda Escobosa Secretary, Board of Directors 1 0 X X 0 0 0 Keiko Elizabeth Member, Board of Directors 1 0 X 0 0 0 Jody Vallejo Member, Board of Directors 1 0 X 0 0 0 Theresa Smith Member, Board of Directors 1 0 X 0 0 0 Monica Nguyen Member, Board of Directors 1 0 X 0 0 0 Laura Hernandez Member, Board of Directors 1 0 X 0 0 0 114654 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 34125 549168 0 583293 0 0 0 0 0 1874 0 0 1874 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 585167 0 0 1874 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 163787 139219 16379 8189 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13428 11414 1343 671 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 743 0 743 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10966 10966 0 0 0 0 0 0 895 761 134 0 3750 3188 562 0 0 0 0 0 6313 5366 947 0 379 379 0 0 0 0 0 0 839 839 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4249 3612 637 0 4617 4527 90 0 209966 180271 20835 8860 25867 191587 0 0 0 218750 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 25867 410337 6169 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6169 0 X 19698 410337 0 0 19698 410337 25867 410337 X 375201 0 0 0 5173 10265 X 0 0 0 X 196900 92000 583293 872193 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 196900 92000 583293 872193 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 872193 96 474 1874 2444 0 0 0 0 0 96 474 1874 2444 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 196996 92474 585167 874637 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The form was emailed to each board member who was given a reasonable opportunity to review and respond before filing Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c The conflicts policy is enforced by the Board President at meetings, including that interested parties are asked to leave meetings when required by the conflicts policy. Annual disclosures by board members are requested. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15 Comparison studies were completed in 2021 for the two executive staff positions. Salary comparisons were made to executive directors of other legal aid organizations, the legal director of larger organizations, and comparable government positions within the Office of the US Attorney General. Executives' 2023 salaries were unchanged from 2021 salaries. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 All documents whose disclosure is mandatory are available upon request. No requests have been made. Form 990, Part XI, Line 9 In 2022, the PJLC paid a deposit to another non-profit for $10,265 that was intended to go toward a stipend for a volunteer. The other non-profit cancelled the program and refunded the deposit in 2023. Late filing permitted upon acceptance of a timely Form 8868.