San Rafael, CA – Marin County officials and criminal justice partners are sponsoring a community forum Dec. 3 about the implications of the Trust Act, recently enacted legislation signed by Gov. Jerry Brown that pertains to the rights of immigrants.
The Trust Act, also known as AB 4, was enacted Oct. 5 and becomes effective on Jan. 1, 2014. The new law prohibits local law enforcement from detaining anyone on the basis of a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold after that individual becomes eligible for release from custody, unless the person has been convicted of specified crimes. The law is designed to prevent detention in local jails of those who have no previous criminal record, have committed offenses of a nonviolent nature and are not deemed a threat to the community.
With realignment of California jail populations two years ago, more inmates are serving time in county jails instead of state prisons. Many county jails have experienced problems caring for a larger inmate population since realignment, although Marin County Jail regularly reports a population at less than full capacity.
The community forum will be from 6-7:30 p.m. in the jury assembly room (Suite 244) at the Marin County Civic Center’s Hall of Justice in San Rafael. Sponsored by the Marin County Board of Supervisors and county criminal justice partners, the event will include panelists Sheriff Robert Doyle, District Attorney Ed Berberian, Public Defender Jose Varela and immigration law specialist Angie Junck from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.
“I think it’s helpful for the Sheriff and others to clarify how the Trust Act will be handled at the local level and for residents to voice any concerns they may have,” Varela said.
Spanish-language translation will be provided at the forum.