A second look at three strikes: Christopher Williams’s path to parole

For individuals and families affected by long sentences, relief can feel out of reach. Yet California's evolving juvenile and accomplice-liability laws allow courts to take a second look at sentences when warranted by issues of rehabilitation and fairness. Amendments to the state's infamous Three Strikes Law aim to align punishment with current understandings of culpability and community safety. White & Case is playing a role in translating legal reform into human impact.

From conviction to resentencing

As part of an ongoing collaboration with Stanford Law School's Three Strikes Project, the Firm mobilized a cross-border team from five offices—including two outside the United States—to represent Christopher Williams in a contested resentencing proceeding in San Joaquin County, California. The matter is part of the Firm's Access to Justice Initiative, a global effort now in its sixth year.

Mr. Williams had served 19 years of a 28-year-and-8-months to life sentence following a conviction for first-degree murder as an aider and abettor. Because he was convicted under California's Three Strikes Law, he was eligible for resentencing due to subsequent legal reforms.

During his nearly two decades in custody, he built an exceptional record of education and service, earning commendations from correctional staff and mentors. In recognition of those efforts, the Secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation issued a rare recommendation that his sentence be recalled and that he be resentenced in light of current law and community safety considerations.

Making the case

Supporting that recommendation, our team filed a comprehensive brief accompanied by hundreds of pages of evidence to satisfy the statutory criteria: letters of support, documentation of completed rehabilitation programs, and a detailed re-entry plan addressing housing, employment and counseling. The lawyers also retained a community risk assessment expert, whose independent report concluded that Mr. Williams would present no risk of reoffending if released.

At the December 15 hearing, counsel Jeremy Ostrander (Silicon Valley) argued for two hours while colleagues coordinated witnesses and family attendance. The court granted the motion and resentenced Mr. Williams to 18-years-to-life, making him immediately eligible for parole.

Jeremy was joined by associate Devon McCarthy (Washington, DC), with contributions from associate Megan Wilson and partner Sibusisiwe Nkambule (both in Johannesburg), associate Houston Smith (Silicon Valley), and a global business services team spanning London, Chicago and Silicon Valley.

We will continue representing Mr. Williams before the California Board of Parole Hearings.

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