New Legislation 2021
What are the Key Changes to the Law in 2021?
Misdemeanor diversion: This new law authorizes judges to offer misdemeanor diversion to most offenders. If terms such as AA meetings, and programs are complied with, the criminal action will be dismissed and the record cleared. Some domestic violence charges, stalking and registrable sex offenses are not eligible. (Effective January 1, 2021)
Reduced sex offender registration: This new law can reduce the term for those required to register as a sex offender for life by up to 90%. The new three-tier system defines registration requirement terms of 10 years, 20 years or lifetime, depending upon the severity of the offense. Effective January 1, 2021
Banning chokeholds: This bans chokeholds and carotid holds by law enforcement.
Restoring felon voting rights: Proposition 17 gives approximately 50,000 felons on probation the right to vote.
False reports and harassment: New legislation makes false 911 calls based on someone's race, gender, religion or other type of discrimination a hate crime.
Capped probation terms: This new law changes typical probation from 3 years down to one year for many misdemeanor offenses and two years for felony offenses, with some exceptions. Effective January 1, 2021.
Problem juveniles in school: This changes punishment of insubordinate, disorderly students from probation programs to community-based programs. Additional changes also strive to remove problematic students from court supervision.
Phasing out juvenile prisons: Juvenile justice realignment bill will replace the remaining juvenile prisons with the Office of Youth and Community Restoration. Effective January 1, 2021
Hiding juvenile records: AB 2425 protects the records of juvenile offenders from public inspection. Effective January 1, 2021.