History

The Justice Committee was formed out of a concern for abuses in the criminal justice system. These abuses have resulted in wrongful prosecutions of innocent citizens, a vast waste of community resources, and an eroding public confidence in the judicial system. A series of high profile and unjust child abuse prosecutions in San Diego led to the founding of the Justice Committee, but since that time the Committee has become involved in grass-roots organizing at the national and local level. Members have appeared on, and contributed to, countless national and local media pieces. The Justice Committee corresponds with public and private organizations, professionals and private citizens concerned with criminal justice issues, and serves as a clearing-house for information and sources in relevant areas of concern.

Mission

The Justice Committee seeks a criminal justice system which works fairly for all, guided by the precepts of constitutional due process and integrity. It seeks to counter-balance over-zealous victim's advocacy, and to expose the use of unreliable, unscientific evidence as well as misguided law enforcement practices. The Justice Committee is committed to the very real need to protect children from abuse while also protecting citizens from false allegations, convictions, and imprisonment.
The Justice Committee believes there are thousands of innocent men and women in prison for child physical and sexual abuse which in many cases never happened at all. It is committed to correcting these injustices through education, legal action, and the promotion of media scrutiny focusing the attention of and prosecutors. Currently the Committee is seeking remedies for those who have been falsely accused and incarcerated during the hysteria of the 80's and 90's.

Executive Director

Carol Hopkins, an educator by profession, was selected for the 1991-92 San Diego County Grand Jury, and served as Deputy Foreman. The Grand Jury received a complaint from a local Congressman regarding possible misconduct by those investigating child abuse. This led to a year-long investigation of the entire Juvenile Dependency System. Also investigated were problematic allegations of abuse and molest during family court custody disputes, and a number of wrongful criminal prosecutions of child abuse. Five Grand Jury Reports were issued with numerous recommendations for local reform. San Diego County adopted most of the recommendations in 1992. Other recommended reforms required changes in state and federal law over which the Grand Jury had no jurisdiction. Since 1992 Ms. Hopkins has been active in drafting and supporting reform legislation both in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. and has provided testimony before the California State Legislature as well as before the U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate, in her capacity as a private citizen.
Carol Hopkins serves on the S.D. District Attorney's Ad Hoc Committee on Child Abuse, San Diego County's Child Protection Services Task Force, and is a board member of the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform. As a co-founder of the Justice Committee, Carol continues to serve as an advocate for the falsely accused and the unjustly convicted. She has been a highly visible proponent of reform whose comments have been cited in dozens of national media stories including CBS' Eye on America and Before Your Eyes, ABC's Prime Time Live, and Turning Point, Newsweek, Time, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, Mother Jones, etc.
Contact:

The Justice Committee
625 Broadway Suite 1111
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 699-4899