california Senate - Public Safety
AB-2943 Crime: shoplifting (2023-2024)
Purpose
Places great emphasis on stopping organized crime rings that are harming our communities.
Places great emphasis on stopping organized crime rings that are harming our communities.
History 07/01/24 - Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
Votes: 06/17/24 (PASS) - Location: Sen Appr. - Do pass as amended.
Votes: 06/17/24 (PASS) - Location: Sen Appr. - Do pass as amended.
Position
- Recommended Position: Oppose unless amended
- The bill places great emphasis on stopping organized crime rings that are harming our communities. It does this by creating a new crime targeting "professional" retail thieves, with a penalty of up to three years for possession of stolen property with intent to resell. It also specifies that evidence of intent can include repeated conduct or possession of a quantity of goods inconsistent with personal use; does not require proof that a defendant acted with another person; and applies both to the retail thieves and secondary sellers.
- The bill helps get at the root cause of theft by expanding the use of diversion and rehabilitative programs like drug court through increased supervision for shoplifting and petty theft, and the opportunity for early discharge from probation if the program is completed.
- The bill also expands tools for police to arrest for shoplifting based on a witness's sworn statement or video footage of the crime.
- The bill extends the ability of police to keep repeat offenders and those committing organized retail theft in custody.
Read the official bill. Click Here