As a member of the Drop LWOP (Life Without Parole) Coalition, Felony Murder Elimination Project is excited to share the Drop LWOP Coalition Resentencing Guide with our supporters and advocates. This guide was created in collaboration with people sentenced to LWOP and the UC Berkeley School of Law Criminal Law & Justice Center. 

The guide explains resentencing options for people with Life Without Parole sentences in clear, accessible language for incarcerated people and their loved ones. We encourage advocates and loved ones to print and mail a paper copy to their friends and family inside.

Life Without Parole (LWOP) sentences are designed to be permanent, leading to death by incarceration. However in recent years, the DROP LWOP Coalition, many other organizations, and dedicated individuals have successfully pressured legislators to pass laws which offer opportunities for people sentenced to LWOP to be resentenced. It is very important for incarcerated people and their loved ones to become informed and activated regarding these options for sentence reduction and possible release.

People with LWOP and their loved ones don’t have to resign themselves to death by incarceration!

The Resentencing Guide covers each of the following potential paths for people with LWOP, including processes, additional resources, exclusions and more:

• JUVENILE LWOP – PC (Penal Code) 1170(d)(1) – for people convicted of a crime committed before they were 18 and have been incarcerated for at least 15 years.
• FELONY MURDER REFORM – SB 1437/PC 1172.6 – for people who were not the “actual killer” in a murder and didn’t intend for anyone to die.
• RACIAL JUSTICE ACT (RJA) – for people who can demonstrate racial bias in their case either through explicit or implicit language, jury exclusion or racial disparities in charging, plea deals, or sentencing in the jurisdiction.
• DISCRETIONARY RESENTENCING – PC 1172.1 – for people recommended for resentencing by a DA, CDCR, the Parole Board or a Sheriff’s office.
• DISCRETIONARY RESENTENCING – PC 1172.1/AB 600 – for people recommended for resentencing by their original sentencing judge or another judge in their county of conviction.

You can read more about the the Drop LWOP California Resentencing Guide, and download your copy here —>>> California Resentencing Guide For Life Without Parole Sentences (LWOP)