California AG Bonta Announces Reimbursement Process for Students Unlawfully Cited Under San Bernardino County's CleanSWEEP Program
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Oct. 27 that, under his office's settlement with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, students who were cited under the department's CleanSWEEP student citation program while under the age of 18 may be eligible for dismissal of the citation and reimbursement of related fines and fees, with claims to be submitted to the Sheriff's Department by April 18, 2027.
According to the Attorney General's office, the Sheriff's Department ran CleanSWEEP from 1997, issuing citations to students for offenses such as truancy, disturbing the peace, tobacco or alcohol possession, and graffiti; at times the citations led to steep fines and adversely impacted protected student groups. Shortly after the California Department of Justice began its investigation in 2022, the department suspended CleanSWEEP, and it terminated the program countywide in January 2024.
“All students deserve school environments centered on their learning, not environments that criminalize youth,” said Attorney General Bonta. “During a years-long investigation, my office found San Bernardino County's CleanSWEEP program unlawfully issued citations to students that at times led to steep fines and resulted in adverse impacts against protected student groups.” He said the parties agreed to permanently terminate the program and encouraged eligible people to submit a claim.
Eligibility covers those cited by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department while under 18 for the offenses listed in the settlement who paid fines and fees or have matters pending. Claims coordinator: [email protected], 909-387-3406. Deadline: April 18, 2027.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：圣贝纳迪诺县法院大楼。CC BY-SA 3.0，作者 Einbierbitte，来源：Wikimedia Commons / Photo: San Bernardino County Courthouse. CC BY-SA 3.0 by Einbierbitte, via Wikimedia Commons
