At the Griffin Law Office, APC, our San Diego criminal defense attorney works tirelessly to ensure each of our clients understands the legal penalties that accompany their criminal charges, so they can make informed decisions about the direction of their cases.
That includes any potential jail time, probation, or fines they may be facing if convicted.
The good news is, that sentences imposed after January 21, 2021, may be eligible for a reduced probation period, thanks to California Assembly Bill No. 1950.
Here is what our clients need to know about their eligibility for reduced probation periods.
What is Probation?
Crimes in California are often punishable by jail or prison time.
When the crime and person are eligible for probation, instead of the maximum jail term allowed by the statute under which they are charged, he or she is subject to certain rules and requirements for good behavior during a period of supervision from the criminal justice system.
Probation often includes fines, treatment programs, and prohibition from committing new crimes.
If the individual violates their probation, the court can send them back to jail for the balance of their original sentence.
What is California Assembly Bill No. 1950
In September 2020, California Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1950, which shortened the length of probation in both misdemeanor and felony cases.
Under the new law, probation is capped at one year for misdemeanors and two years for felonies, with some important exclusions, including convictions for:
- Violent felonies, as defined in Penal Code 667.5
- Driving under the influence
- Theftof $25,000 or more
- Residential burglary or robbery
- Domestic violence
- Child abuse
Before this important bill was signed into law, most misdemeanor offenses were punishable by three years of probation, and most federal offenses were punishable by five years of probation.
What are the Benefits of AB 1950 in California?
The previous prolonged periods of supervision gave rise to more Californians returning to jail for simple probation violations — even years after their conviction.
AB 1950 reduces the amount of time someone is on probation, shortening the chances of violating their agreement.
This much-needed change to the criminal justice system allows Californians to move beyond a criminal conviction in less time, and potentially provides the opportunity to expunge their criminal record much sooner because they no longer must wait three or five years for their probation periods to end.
Contact Our Skilled San Diego Criminal Defense Attorneys at Griffin Law Office, APC
If you have been charged with a crime in California or would like to determine how you can pursue an expungement for a criminal conviction, contact our skilled San Diego criminal defense attorney to learn more about your legal rights and how we accomplish favorable outcomes for each of our client’s unique needs by calling 619-269-2131 to discuss the details of your case today.