Thirteen New Crime-Related Laws Becoming Effective in 2013

Why This Article Matters: In 2013, there were several significant changes in the law whose effects are still being felt as if they are new in 2018, especially in the area of domestic violence, electronic monitoring and life sentences without the possibility of parole (LWOP) for juveniles, perhaps made more unlikely by Prop 57 filing requirements for juvenile cases.

Torrance Courthouse

1. Missing Children: AB 1432 requires a parent or guardian to report to law enforcement the disappearance or death of a child under age 14 within a specified period of time. This bill has many purposes, one of which surely is preservation of evidence and memories.

2. Child Abuse and Neglect: AB 1435 makes athletic coaches, athletic administrators and athletic directors employed by a public or private school that provides any combination of instruction for kindergarten or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, mandated reporters for purposes of the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. If such employees were to see evidence of injuries they believed were caused at home or at the hands of a parent, they must contact the police.

3. Child Abuse and Neglect: AB 1817 makes commercial computer technicians mandated reporters of suspected child abuse and neglect for the purpose of the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. If such employees were to see evidence of injuries they believed were caused at home or at the hands of a parent, they must contact the police.

4. Over-the-Counter Drug Sales of Pseudophedrine: AB 1280 places new purchase limits on pseudophedrine and related products consistent with federal law and requires the electronic tracking of purchases.

5. Drug Paraphernalia: AB 472 provides that it shall not be a crime to be under the influence of, or in possession of, a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia if that individual seeks medical assistance for himself, herself or another person for a drug-related overdose. This bill seems to encourage people to seek medical assistance without fear of being prosecuted if high themselves or in possession of drug paraphernalia.

6. Protective Orders and Firearms: SB 1433 requires a law enforcement officer who serves a protective order that prohibits the individual from possessing a firearm to request the firearm be immediately surrendered. In the past, prior to this law, the individual usually had a day or two to surrender his or her weapon(s) to a local armory, usually at a police station.

7. Domestic Violence Fund Increase: AB 2094 increases the domestic violence fund fee from a minimum of $400 to a minimum of $500 and requires the court to state a reason on the record if it reduces or waives the minimum fee during sentencing.

8. Domestic Violence Defendant Electronic Monitoring: AB 2467 authorizes a judge to order electronic monitoring of a defendant when a protective order has been issued to protect a victim of a violent crime committed by the defendant during the pendency of the criminal case or in cases when a defendant has been convicted of a crime of domestic violence and a protective order has been issued to protect the victim.

9. Juvenile Life Sentence Without Possibility of Parole: SB 9 authorizes a prisoner who was under 18 at the time of committing an offense for which the prisoner was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole to submit a petition for recall and resentencing to the sentencing court. This bill seemingly responds to a series of reported decisions over the last year involving juveniles being sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

   

10. Arrested Parent Rights:AB 2015 requires an arresting or booking officer to inquire if an arrested person is a custodial parent with responsibility for a minor child and requires that a sign be posted in a conspicuous place informing an arrested custodial parent of his or her right to two additional telephone calls for the purpose of arranging for the care of the child or children in the parent’s absence.

11. Victim Restitution: AB 1371 prohibits a defendant from satisfying an order to pay direct restitution to a victim, a restitution fine or both, through time spent in custody at the statutory rate of $30 per day.

12. Victim Restitution: AB 2251 authorizes prosecutors to send victim contact information to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation without the victim’s consent for purposes of making the defendant pay restitution. This bill seems aimed at ensuring a defendant pays restitution by eliminating the excuse that he or she lacks the victim’s address.

13. Electronic Tracking of Vehicles: AB 2055 establishes procedures for the issuance of a search warrant authorizing electronic tracking of a vehicle. This new law comes at the heels of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions allowing electronic trackers on cars operated or owned by suspected drug dealers.

For more information about some of the offenses affected by the news laws for 2013, click on any one or all of the following links:

1. What Is Kidnapping and Aggravated Kidnapping?

2. What Is Child Abduction (Penal Code § 278)?

3. Thirty Years to Life Sentence for Juvenile Sex Crime Defendant Not Cruel and Unusual Punishment