Quick Summary of Law Changes related to Criminal law

Effective January 1, 2020, several changes to California Criminal law will the place. Below is a quick snapshot of the changes.

• As a result of the passage of AB 392, and, as a result of the recent incident wherein a Sonoma County Deputy smashed an arrestee's head against the car door, killing him, on the mood of a lot of us in Sonoma CountyLaw enforcement officers can use deadly force only when it’s “necessary in defense of human life,” a standard created following fatal officer-involved shootings across California.
• As a result of the passage of AB 218, victims of childhood sexual abuse will have more time to report allegations of such abuse and file a lawsuit against their attackers. The state’s civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse allegations has been extended for 14 additional years, allowing some to file claims up to age 40.
  
• Somewhat related, as a result of the passage of SB 588, Sexual assault evidence collected through rape kits must be submitted to a crime lab within 20 days and tested within 120 days, a law prompted by reports of evidence samples that sat untested for years, and a change in the law deemed necessary as it "is a core public safety issue affecting" all of us in the state. 
  
• You can now file a civil cause of action against anyone who distributes a fake sex video or photo with your likeness.
  
• The State is no longer permitted to sign contracts to use private, for-profit prisons.
• ...And in those prisons, inmates can no longer be charged a copay for medical care or fees for medically necessary items.