Bills Seeks Relief For Those With Convictions Based On Racial Prejudice

AB 256, as introduced by Assembly Members Kalra, Kamlager, Robert Rivas, and Santiago. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST: Existing law prohibits the state from seeking a criminal conviction or sentence on the basis of race, ethnicity, or national origin, as specified, and, in a case in which judgment has not been entered prior to January 1, 2021, allows a petition to be filed alleging a violation of that prohibition. Existing law authorizes a court that finds a violation of that prohibition to impose specified remedies, including, among other things, modifying the judgment and resentencing the defendant. This bill would authorize that petition to be filed for cases in which a judgment was entered prior to January 1, 2021. The bill would additionally make other technical changes.