Table of Contents
New Laws That Mean Big Changes For California Law
With every new year, changes are inevitable. For example, numerous variations emerged in the California criminal justice system in 2019. Some of the more modern laws that will take effect in 2019 emphasize social and criminal justice reform.
So letโs take a look at several new laws that will change some of the ways things are done in California.
An End To Cash Bail
There will no longer be a cash bail for those suspects who are awaiting trial. Bail agents are seeking a referendum to overturn this new law, while its supporters argue that it makes the criminal justice system fairer for those with limited financial means.
Topo Padilla, the president of the Golden State Bail Agents Association, stated that they needed 365,000 signatures and collected 550,000. That number represents the voters who signed a petition requesting to place this issue on the ballot. This law will take effect on October 1, 2019.
A risk assessment conducted before the trial will be used to determine who will be released from jail. In cases that are non-violent and classified as misdemeanors, the defendants will be released within 12 hours. For other cases, they will be scored based on the likelihood that the defendant will appear for their court date and the seriousness of the crime they committed. With this new law being put into effect, at least 8,000 residents in California will be out of work, primarily those in the bail industry, as stated by Padilla. This act is not just about saving jobs; it is about public safety and eliminating a constitutional right that exists, according to Padilla.
New Law Affecting Intoxicated Drivers
There will be a new law in 2019 that will affect drivers who are caught driving under the influence. This legislation aims to make the roads a safer place while allowing those who have convictions for DUIs to still be able to drive. Under this new law, drivers who are suspected of intoxication must agree to take a breathalyzer test. This law would allow those who have been convicted of a DUI to keep their license, but with a critical restriction added for safety. New rules will be applied to drivers in California who have been convicted twice of driving under the influence.
This rule starts on the first of January and allows those who were convicted of a DUI to regain their privileges for driving in full if they install an ignition interlock device in all of the vehicles that they own. This was said by Todd Gloria, the San Diego Assemblyman. The breathalyzer device can determine how much alcohol is in the driver’s breath and will not allow the vehicle to start if the driver is not sober. This new law began as a pilot program for Sacramento, as well as three other counties that were using the ignition interlocks.
According to a 2016 California DMV study, this device was found to be significantly more effective in reducing DUI recidivism than license suspension alone. Currently, this is becoming a statewide law. It is hoped that the statewide use of these devices will lead to fewer impaired driving incidents and fatalities.
Convictions For Pot
Thanks to the approval of Proposition 64, there will be new liberties for thousands in California who have been convicted of charges related to marijuana. Proposition 64 was passed in 2016 by California voters, which made the use of marijuana legal for recreational purposes. This new law serves as an addendum to the proposition.
The new law is causing the California Department of Justice to review all convictions for marijuana that may be reduced or even purged.
This law opens new doors for those who were convicted of having marijuana in their possession, seeing as this is currently legal in California. Those who have misdemeanors and felony charges related to cannabis offenses can also petition courts to remove or reduce the convictions.
With this new law in place, people in California who have convictions relating to marijuana may be able to seek employment and acquire housing if their marijuana-related offenses are removed from their records.
According to the law, the Department of Justice is required to submit a list of names to the local district attorneys by July 1st. The district attorneys can challenge any findings. If no challenge is made, the courts can reduce or remove the criminal conviction.
Vote-By-Mail Ballots That Are Prepaid
Voting by mail has just gotten a lot easier thanks to this new law in California that enables ballots to have prepaid postage. This means that no stamp will be needed to mail in your vote. The vice president of Political Data, Paul Mitchell, believes that the younger group of voters will benefit from this, as they are the ones doing more things online, and it allows them to mail off their ballots without having to search for a stamp directly.
This means voters can mail their ballots without needing to add postage. Thereโs one group that could especially benefit, which is the younger voters. With this new law, the state will reimburse counties for the cost of paying for the additional postage.
Other Laws Coming Into Effect
These are not the only laws that will take effect in 2019. Many other laws will be making changes in California. There are laws regarding lactation accommodation for working moms, meal breaks for commercial drivers, several new laws for sexual harassment, human trafficking, lunches for kids, and more. You can find a comprehensive list online for all new laws going into effect in 2019.
Below is a brief overview of some of the laws you will see in different categories.
Police Transparency Laws
- AB 748: Video and Audio Recordings Disclosure โ As of July 1st, the release of all recordings from cameras that are body-worn will be required within 45 days of the incident.
- SB 1421: Release of Records โ This law will make public all investigations of officers for lying on duty, sexual assault, and use of force.
Gun Laws
- SB 1100: Firearms Transfers โ This law raises the legal age to purchase firearms from 18 to 21, except for law enforcement personnel, military personnel, and residents with valid hunting licenses.
- AB 3129: Firearms Prohibited Persons โ A lifetime ban on gun ownership for anyone who is convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence.
- AB 2103: License to Carry Concealed Weapons โ Requires those seeking a concealed carry license to complete a minimum of 8 hours of training on firearm safety, as well as handling and technique.
