Misdemeanors.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Chaptered
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill amends California law regarding how crimes are classified as felonies or misdemeanors. Currently, a crime can be designated as a misdemeanor based on certain circumstances, such as a court’s determination before trial. This bill broadens this provision, allowing a court to classify a crime as a misdemeanor at any point before trial, provided a subsequent motion to maintain this classification requires a showing of changed circumstances. It also clarifies the process for designating offenses as misdemeanors when a prosecutor files a complaint.
Key provisions
- Allows a court to classify a crime as a misdemeanor at any point before trial.
- Requires a subsequent motion to maintain a misdemeanor classification to demonstrate ‘changed circumstances.’
- Clarifies the process for prosecutors to specify a crime as a misdemeanor in their complaints.
- Specifies circumstances under which a crime can be designated as a misdemeanor, including secure youth treatment facilities and probation.
- Addresses the handling of restitution orders in misdemeanor cases.
Who is affected
- Defendants facing criminal charges
- Prosecutors
- Judges
- Probation officers
- The criminal justice system
Notable changes
- Expands the existing rule allowing a court to classify a crime as a misdemeanor before trial.
Bill text
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