Infractions: warrants and penalties.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Passed
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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 changes how California courts handle warrants and penalties for failing to appear in court or pay fines, particularly for infractions. It prohibits issuing bench warrants for infractions and for certain Vehicle Code violations, and it removes the requirement for courts to report convictions of these infractions to the DMV. Additionally, it eliminates the misdemeanor charge for failing to pay bail installments or fines related to infractions.
Key provisions
- Bench warrants will no longer be issued for infractions, including Vehicle Code infractions.
- Courts will no longer be required to report convictions of infractions to the DMV.
- The misdemeanor charge for failing to pay bail installments or fines related to infractions is repealed.
- The requirement for magistrates to issue bench warrants when a defendant has committed specific crimes (e.g., disposing of flammable materials on highways) is removed.
- Section 853.6 of the Penal Code is amended to clarify procedures for releasing individuals arrested for misdemeanors, including those related to traffic violations.
- Section 19.7 of the Penal Code is amended to apply general misdemeanor laws to infractions, except for bench warrant authority.
- The requirement for a court to declare bail forfeited and issue a bench warrant for failure to appear when a defendant has committed specific crimes is removed.
- The requirement for a court to report a conviction of a failure to appear offense to the DMV is removed.
Bill text
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Sponsors
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7 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
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