Criminal procedure: continuances.

Children

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Stefani
Last action: 2026-04-23
Official status: In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on how many cases will be affected or the extent of delays.

Expanding Reasons for Delaying Criminal Trials

This law adds specific situations involving minors and elderly victims to the reasons that allow courts to delay criminal trials.

What This Bill Does

Adds cases where a minor is detained as a material witness or is the victim of an alleged offense to reasons supporting delays in court cases.
Includes cases where the victim is 65 years old or older at the time of the alleged offense or is a dependent adult.

Who It Names or Affects

People involved in criminal cases where minors are witnesses or victims.
Victims who are elderly (65 years old or more) or dependent adults.
Courts and judges making decisions about delaying trials.

Terms To Know

continuance: A delay in a court case, often requested to give the lawyers more time to prepare.
good cause: Reasons that are important and valid for delaying a trial.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how much longer trials might be delayed because of these new reasons.
It is unclear if this will affect many cases or just a few specific ones.

Bill History

2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 70. Noes 0.)
2026-04-20 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 14).
2026-04-07 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2026-03-02 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-02-19 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 21.
2026-02-18 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2052, as amended, Stefani.
Criminal procedure: continuances.
Existing law establishes the requirements for a continuance to be granted in a criminal case, including a showing of good cause. Existing law defines “good cause” for this purpose to include, but not be limited to, cases involving specified crimes, including murder and domestic violence, and to apply when the prosecuting attorney assigned to the case has another trial, preliminary hearing, or motion to suppress in progress in that court or another court.
This bill would expand the list of cases that may support a finding of good cause to specifically include cases
where a minor is detained as a material witness or is the victim of the alleged offense, and cases where the victim is 65 years of age or older at the time of the alleged offense or is a dependent adult.
of elder or dependent adult abuse, as specified.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF