Criminal procedure.
Summary
(1) Existing law requires, when a range of punishments is prescribed for a particular crime, the punishment to be inflicted in a particular case to be determined by the court, subject to certain limitations, and requires, when a statute specifies 3Â possible terms of imprisonment, the court to order imposition of the middle term, unless there are circumstances in aggravation or mitigation of the crime. This bill would provide that, when determining the punishment to be imposed in all misdemeanor and infraction cases, or when determining the term to be imposed when a statute specifies 3Â possible terms of imprisonment, the fact that a defendant did not understand the consequences of his or her actions because he or she was raised in an affluent or overly permissive household shall not be considered a circumstance in mitigation of the crime. (2) Existing law requires the court to hear and determine the suitability of probation in a particular case. At the hearing, the court is required to consider any report of the probation officer, and, if the court determines that there are circumstances in mitigation of the punishment prescribed by law or that the ends of justice would be served by granting probation to the person, the court may place the person on probation. This bill would provide, for purposes of these provisions, that circumstances in mitigation do not include the fact that the defendant may not have understood the consequences of his or her actions because he or she was raised in an affluent or overly permissive household. (3) Existing law provides that no act committed by a person while in a state of voluntary intoxication is less criminal by reason of his or her having been in that condition. Existing law provides that diminished capacity, diminished responsibility, or irresistable impulse is not a defense in a criminal action or juvenile adjudication hearing. This bill would provide that an act committed by a person is not less criminal by reason of his or her having been raised in an affluent or overly permissive household, nor is it a defense to a criminal action or juvenile adjudication that a person did not understand the consequences of his or her actions because he or she was raised in an affluent or overly permissive household. By eliminating a potential criminal defense, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (4) 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Bill status
failed
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2014
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2014
Last action Nov 30, 2014
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
6
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Apr 29, 2014
Lower · Passed
In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
lower
Jan 23, 2014
Committee
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
lower
Jan 15, 2014
Lower · Passed
From printer. May be heard in committee February 14.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Mike Gatto
DDemocratic
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