Mission
UNCOMMON LAW'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND HEALING FOR PEOPLE IMPACTED BY INCARCERATION. WE DELIVER TRAUMA-INFORMED, HEALING-CENTERED MENTAL HEALTH AND LEGAL COUNSELING TO HELP PROVIDE A SAFE PATHWAY HOME FOR PEOPLE CURRENTLY SERVING LENGTHY PRISON TERMS IN CALIFORNIA PRISONS. WE REPRESENT PEOPLE IN THEIR PAROLE HEARINGS AND HABEAS PETITIONS, AND WE ENGAGE IN LITIGATION AND POLICY ADVOCACY TO ADDRESS SYSTEMIC DISCRIMINATION IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. WE ALSO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR PEOPLE IN PRISON, ATTORNEYS, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND LAW STUDENTS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL QUALITY OF PREPARATION FOR AND REPRESENTATION IN PAROLE HEARINGS. OUR CLIENTS CANNOT BE RELEASED FROM PRISON UNLESS AND UNTIL THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN COUNSELING AND OTHER TRAINING PROGRAMS, AND CAN SHOW THE CALIFORNIA PAROLE BOARD THEY CAN SAFELY REJOIN THEIR COMMUNITIES. WE HELP THEM GET READY TO MAKE THAT SHOWING.