Deferred entry of judgment: misdemeanor offenses.

Existing law, Proposition 21, an initiative statute, provides for deferred entry of judgment for minors who may be adjudged a ward of the juvenile court because of the commission of a felony offense and who meet other, specified criteria. Among other criteria, the minor must be at least 14 years of age, he or she must not have previously been declared to be a ward of the court for the commission of a felony offense, and the offense charged must not be one of specified, enumerated serious or violent offenses. A minor who is granted deferred entry of judgment must admit to each allegation contained in the petition. If the minor performs satisfactorily during the period of 12 to 36 months during which deferred entry of judgment is granted, at the end of that period the charge or charges are dismissed, the arrest upon which the judgment was deferred is deemed never to have occurred, and the records are sealed, as specified. Existing law imposes various supervisory and other duties upon probation officers in connection with the procedure. This bill would expand the scope of the deferred entry of judgment procedure to include minors who have committed a misdemeanor offense, as specified. Because the bill would amend Proposition 21, an initiative statute, the bill would require a 23 vote. Because the bill would increase the duties of probation officers, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.