The Conviction Review Unit is dedicated to promoting fair and just sentencing practices and correcting excessive sentences. Prosecutors have a duty to seek justice and protect public safety, and that also means ensuring people serving excessive sentences are released from prison.
Penal Code section 1172.1 was recently amended to allow the District Attorney to recommend resentencing when a prison sentence is excessive or no longer serves the interest of justice.
Priority for review will be given to those inmates who are:
The following will be excluded from review:
An interest of justice exception may be made to these exclusions at the discretion of the District Attorney.
The District Attorney’s Office considers the following factors to decide if it will make resentencing motions:
The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office carefully evaluates which cases are appropriate for resentencing on a case by case basis. Most cases are identified from within the office. However, the District Attorney’s Office will also consider applications from incarcerated individuals seeking relief. See below for the full process to apply. Note that only San Francisco cases can be reviewed.
Application process to be considered for 1172.1 resentencing:
Due to capacity issues, our office will only review fully completed application forms. Letters or other correspondence that are not attached to an application will not be considered.