Members
- Hon. Laurie M. Earl, Chair, Administrative Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District
- Hon. Mary Greenwood, Administrative Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District
- Hon. Charles S. Crompton, Judge of the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco
- Hon. Lisa M. Rogan, Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino
- Ms. Rachel W. Hill, Attorney at Law, Law Office of Rachel Hill & Hill Mediation Services
- Ms. Gretchen Nelson, Attorney at Law, Nelson & Fraenkel LLP
- Mr. Craig M. Peters, Attorney at Law, Altair Law
- Ms. Anabel Z. Romero, Court Executive Officer, Superior Court of California
Supreme Court Liaison:
- Mr. Jonathan Lange, Assistant Chief Supervising Attorney, Supreme Court of California
Judicial Council Staff to the Committee:
- Ms. Laura Speed, Director, Leadership Support Services, Judicial Council of California
- Mr. Michael Giden, Principal Managing Attorney, Legal Services, Judicial Council of California
- Mr. Alex Bender, Attorney II, Criminal Justice Services, Judicial Council of California
About
Date established
February 2025
Proposition 66 (the Death Penalty Reform and Savings Act of 2016) significantly restructured how death penalty–related habeas corpus petitions are adjudicated in California courts, including shifting appointment responsibilities from the Supreme Court to the superior courts and introducing a new appellate review process.
The Proposition 66 Counsel Working Group was created by the Chief Justice in February 2025 to review the current recruitment processes and qualifications for appointment of counsel and develop recommendations on ways to expand the pool of attorneys available for appointment to represent indigent persons who seek to petition for habeas corpus review of the death penalty judgments.
The working group’s charge is to:
- Review the current processes and efforts at appointing counsel for indigent persons seeking to file a petition for habeas corpus review of the death penalty judgments imposed on them or appeals of a superior court decision on such a petition;
- Consider new or better recruitment methods to help expand the pool of attorneys available for appointment, including pro bono counsel, to meet representation needs; and
- Consider whether new or revised court rules, standards, or forms could better implement the act’s provisions.
The 2025 Proposition 66 Counsel Working Group will report back to the Judicial Council no later than fall 2025.