Dismissal: criminal action.

Existing law authorizes the judge or magistrate, either of his or her own motion or upon the application of the prosecuting attorney, and in furtherance of justice, to order a criminal action to be dismissed. Existing law requires the reasons for the dismissal to be set forth in an order entered upon the minutes. This bill would require the judge or magistrate to state the reasons for the dismissal orally on the record. The bill would also require the court to set forth the reasons for the dismissal in an order entered upon the minutes if requested by either party or in any case in which the proceedings are not being recorded electronically or reported by a court reporter. The bill would also make technical, nonsubstantive changes to these provisions.