Advancing Pretrial Policy and Research (APPR) is hosting a free training, Understanding California’s Landmark Pretrial Ruling on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 1 to 2:00 pm EST. The deadline to register is Thursday, May 28.
About the Training
The California Supreme Court’s landmark ruling, In re Kowalczyk, represents a significant step towards establishing a pretrial system that is grounded in both state and federal constitutional law, and in which judges make informed, intentional decisions—based on clear legal criteria—about pretrial release and detention.
Many states have legal frameworks that resemble California’s. While the specifics may vary, these frameworks often include:
- constitutional limits on who can be detained before or without trial;
- laws or court rules that set forth a presumption of release for those not eligible for detention;
- a requirement that any release conditions be individualized and least restrictive; and
- a requirement that nonfinancial conditions be considered first; and financial conditions considered only when no nonfinancial conditions will reasonably assure court appearance and public safety.
By banning unaffordable financial conditions and prohibiting pretrial detention beyond the state’s constitutional limits, the California Supreme Court seems to be inviting both California practitioners and pretrial stakeholders across the country to make their pretrial systems more fair, just, and effective. APPR will host an interactive training to discuss the main holdings of Kowalczyk, identify the opportunities—and challenges—the decision represents, and invite questions and comments from participants.
We recommend you read our brief analysis of the decision, California Court Upholds Constitutional Pretrial Decisions, and In re Kowalczyk before the training.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the training, participants will:
- Understand the main holdings of In re Kowalczyk
- Explore the key opportunities available when states and local jurisdictions apply the principles and reasoning of Kowalczyk
- Facilitate a robust conversation among participants and APPR experts about the Kowalczyk decision
Training Faculty
Alison Shames, director, Center for Effective Public Policy
Ms. Shames is a co–project director of APPR and serves on CEPP’s board of directors. She is a lawyer who has provided training and technical assistance in pretrial justice, community supervision, sentencing, and corrections to dozens of jurisdictions for over 20 years. Ms. Shames previously worked at the Vera Institute of Justice and as an independent justice consultant. She received her BA from the University of Pennsylvania and her JD from New York University School of Law.
Matt Alsdorf, associate director, Center for Effective Public Policy
Mr. Alsdorf is a co–project director of APPR. He previously served as the vice president of criminal justice at the Laura and John Arnold Foundation (now Arnold Ventures). He is a nationally recognized expert in pretrial advancement, with a focus on the national, state, and local legal landscapes, and frequently speaks about these issues on behalf of CEPP. Mr. Alsdorf is responsible for the development of APPR’s pretrial resources and provides technical assistance to jurisdictions across the country. He received his BA from Williams College and his JD from Yale Law School.
Application Process
If you are interested in attending the training session on June 5, please complete the training registration by May 28.
Please direct any questions to Samuel Steed, operations assistant at the Center for Effective Public Policy, at ssteed@cepp.com.
