Plain English Breakdown
The effective date is missing from the provided metadata and text excerpts.
AB-1877: Changes to Penalties and Bail Rules for Breaking Domestic Violence Orders
This law changes how courts punish people who break certain protective orders by making some violations felonies and requiring judges to consider injuries when deciding on bail.
What This Bill Does
- Makes breaking a criminal protective order punishable as either a misdemeanor or felony if the person was charged with or convicted of a felony for the original act that led to the order.
- Changes second or later convictions for violating specified protective orders into felonies, removing the option for them to be misdemeanors.
- Requires courts to consider any alleged physical injury and the violation itself when deciding whether to set, lower, or deny bail.
- Keeps existing rules that require at least 48 hours in jail if a violation causes actual physical harm.
Who It Names or Affects
- People who violate specified criminal protective orders or stay-away court orders.
- Courts and judges handling cases involving these violations, especially regarding bail decisions.
- Local agencies that may face new costs due to increased punishments for crimes.
Terms To Know
- Protective order
- A court rule telling someone they must stay away from another person or stop certain actions.
- Misdemeanor
- A less serious crime that can result in up to one year in county jail and smaller fines.
- Felony
- A very serious crime that can result in prison time or large fines.
Limits and Unknowns
- The official text does not state the specific date this law will take effect.
- The bill states no reimbursement is required for local costs but only says it is 'for a specified reason' without explaining what that reason is in the summary.