This handbook includes step-by-step guidance on how to challenge a parole denial in California state court, fill-in-the-blank templates to help people write their own habeas petitions, and an overview of the court process so people know what to expect at each stage.
Every year, there’s an average of 2,600 people in California who are denied parole, and most do not have access to a lawyer to help file a habeas petition to challenge that decision. As a result, most parole denials go unchallenged due to a lack of resources. This handbook was designed to empower more people to advocate for themselves and equip them with the tools to defend their rights in court.