California Public Defenders Association

Lifetime Restraining Orders Against Perpetrators Of Major Crimes bill Killed In Public Safety Committee

April 17, 2024 6:36 amApril 17, 2024 6:37 am

A bill to allowed a lifetime restraining order against perpetrators of major crimes was voted down in the Assembly Public Safety Committee on Tuesday despite early indications that it had a decent chance of being passed. Assembly Bill 1931, authored...

Bill to Give Law Enforcement Agencies Option To Give Officer Termination Specifics Signed By Newsom

March 3, 2024 2:20 amMarch 3, 2024 2:21 am

A bill that allows for law enforcement agencies to announce that an officer was terminated for cause, was signed into law by Governor Newsom earlier this week. Senate Bill 400, authored by Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Hayward), will specifically clarify that...

Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Ending Mandatory Minimum Sentences For Many Non-Violent Drug Crimes

October 6, 2021 11:39 amOctober 6, 2021 11:41 am

Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill that ends mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug crimes on Tuesday, giving judges more individual discretion on punishing criminals. Senate Bill 73, authored by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), ends the prohibition...

Senate Dems Kill Bill to Hold Fentanyl Drug Dealers Accountable with ‘Implied Malice’

March 23, 2021 7:02 pmMarch 23, 2021 7:02 pm

Democrat members of the California Senate Public Safety Committee killed a bill Tuesday by Senator Melissa Melendez (R -Lake Elsinore), which would have held Fentanyl drug dealers accountable for “implied malice” if someone they sold the drug to died from...

New California Laws on Jurors

October 1, 2020 8:43 pmOctober 2, 2020 6:42 am

Assembly Bill 3070 and Senate Bill 592 , were enacted during the 2020 Legislative Session to make changes to laws impacting jurors. AB 3070 by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego): Limitations on peremptory challenges. Existing laws provide for the exclusion...

CA Bill Guarantees New ‘Rights’ to Foster Kids, Promotes Abortions, Rape Care, Phone Calls, Texts and Privacy From Adults

July 11, 2019 9:36 amJuly 11, 2019 9:39 am

60 percent of all child sex trafficking victims have histories in the child welfare system A foster care bill currently in the California legislature, guarantees rights to foster children that should raise the hackles of anyone concerned with child...

Immunity From Arrest for California Sex Workers Passes Senate

May 2, 2019 11:35 amMay 4, 2019 7:21 am

A bill to prohibit the arrest of a sex worker when they are reporting a crime done to them just passed the Senate. SB 233 by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) would also make evidence of possession of a condom...