-- Last revised 2/10/21 --
History and Purpose
On January 1, 2020, a new policy-making body was created -- the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code.The Committee will study the California Penal Code and recommend statutory reforms to achieve the following improvements:
On February 9, 2021, The Committee on Revision of the Penal Code released its first Annual Report. The report describes the Committee's work and recommendations for 2020.
- Simplify and rationalize the substance of criminal law.
- Simplify and rationalize criminal procedures.
- Establish alternatives to incarceration that will aid in the rehabilitation of offenders.
- Improve the system of parole and probation.
The recommendations are:
- Eliminate incarceration and reduce fines and fees for certain traffic offenses.
- Require that short prison sentences be served in county jails.
- End mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent offenses.
- Establish that low-value thefts without serious injury or use of a weapon are misdemeanors.
- Provide guidance for judges considering sentence enhancements.
- Limit gang enhancements to the most dangerous offenses.
- Retroactively apply sentence enhancements previously repealed by the Legislature.
- Equalize custody credits for people who committed the same offenses, regardless of where or when they are incarcerated.
- Clarify parole suitability standards to focus on risk of future violent or serious offenses.
- Establish judicial process for “second look” resentencing.