Mission

The Institute for the Advancement of Criminal Justice (IACJ) provides leadership on matters of criminal justice through research, education, and advocacy.


History

Established in 1995, IACJ is a nonprofit, nonpartisan private organization with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. IACJ researches important criminal justice issues and disseminates the results to those involved in the administration of justice.

Through contributions and grants, IACJ has successfully implemented several projects to advance criminal justice and improve public protection. Some of these projects include:

Photo Documentation Project To promote and enhance evidentiary photo documentation at domestic violence and sexual assault crime scenes, IACJ obtained more than $1 million from the California Governor's Office of Criminal Justice Planning. IACJ then partnered with Polaroid Corporation and Epson to distribute more than 4,500 pieces of photographic equipment to 194 of California's law-enforcement agencies.

Victims' Rights Manual In an effort to ensure that crime victims are not forgotten during the vigorous prosecution of criminals, IACJ teamed with the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board to produce the Victims' Rights Manual. The manual enables California prosecutors and victim advocates to easily research and cite victims' rights laws. The manual also contains various sample letters, policies, forms, and restraining orders to assist prosecutors in protecting crime victims.

Advancement of Education In an era of budget cutbacks, an increasing number of prosecutors must pay for their own training seminars or forego training altogether. IACJ strives to ease this dilemma, and to promote a high level of expertise and knowledge among prosecutors, by awarding training scholarships to prosecutors throughout the state. IACJ also continues to demonstrate its dedication to educating California's prosecutors by providing financial support for training seminars.

Tribute to Crime Victims' Rights in California  On April 5, 2005, IACJ, along with the Office of the Governor and the California District Attorneys Association, hosted an event for the 25th anniversary of National Crime Victims' Week that recognized and honored the people and organizations in California that have advanced crime victims' rights.

Tribute to Retired Justice Robert K Puglia  On April 28, 2006, IACJ cosponsored a benefit dinner in honor of retired Presiding Justice Robert K. Puglia who served in California's Third District Court of Appeal. The event featured notable guest speakers and was attended by many close friends, colleagues, and people whose lives were touched by Justice Puglia.

IACJ Journal  This publication provides a forum for discussing issues important to prosecutors and law enforcement as well as crime victims and survivors. The IACJ Journal brings together academics, prosecutors, and guest commentators to research, analyze, and explain contemporary criminal justice issues in order to spark a factual debate on key issues where public opinion and debate is often based on emotion rather than fact. The first issue was devoted to California's three strikes law and the second issue to the death penalty in California.

Contributions

Donations to the Institute for the Advancement of Criminal Justice are tax deductible. For tax purposes, IACJ's Federal ID Number is 94-3226023.

Events, Auctions, and Fund Raisers

 

 
Purposes
  1. To advance the science of criminal jurisprudence and to encourage the highest educational and ethical standards of all persons engaged in the administration of justice under the state and federal laws within California.
  2. To conduct research and analysis of statutes, case law, and factual information relevant to the criminal-justice system.
  3. To disseminate the results of such study, research, and analysis to persons and entities engaged in the administration of justice and any interested members of the public by means of publication, educational seminars, and symposia.
  4. To improve the administration of criminal justice and thereby to promote the public welfare by means of statewide and regional coordination of programs for all persons and entities dedicated to the administration of justice.
  5. To provide centralized review of the criminal-justice system in order to promote equal administration of criminal laws.
  6. To promote the protection, education, and rights of crime victims, their survivors, and families.
  7. To have and to exercise all rights and powers conferred on nonprofit corporations organized under the laws of the State of California.

Activities
  1. Conduct various educational seminars for persons involved in the administration of justice, crime victims, their survivors, and families as well as any interested members of the public.
  2. Publish and distribute various publications containing factual information relevant to the criminal justice system.
  3. Serve as a centralized resource to disseminate the research and analysis of criminal statutes, case law, and factual information.
  4. Promote the improvement and integrity of the criminal justice system through the use of the aforementioned activities to better serve the public and advance the protection, education, and rights of crime victims, their survivors, and families.

Publications