AB 141

  • California Assembly Bill
  • 2011-2012 Regular Session
  • Introduced in Assembly
  • Passed Assembly Apr 14, 2011
  • Passed Senate Jul 14, 2011
  • Signed by Governor Aug 05, 2011

Jurors: electronic communications.

Abstract

(1) Existing law requires the court in a jury trial to admonish the jury that it is their duty not to converse with, or permit themselves to be addressed by, any other person on any subject of the trial. The court is required to provide the admonishment in a civil proceeding when the jurors are permitted to separate during the trial, and when the case is submitted to the jury, and, in a criminal proceeding, after the jury has been sworn and before the people's opening address, at each adjournment of the court, and when the jurors are permitted by the court to separate after the case is submitted to the jury. An officer having the jury under his or her charge shall not permit any communication to be made to them, or make any himself or herself, as specified. This bill would expand those admonishments to include the conduct of research or dissemination of information on any subject of the trial. The bill would require the court, when admonishing the jury against conversation, research, or dissemination of information pursuant to these provisions, to clearly explain, as part of the admonishment, that the prohibition applies to all forms of electronic and wireless communication. The bill would require the officer in charge of a jury to prevent any form of electronic or wireless communication. (2) Existing law provides that certain acts or omissions in respect to a court of justice, or proceedings therein, are civil contempts of the authority of the court, including, among other things, disobedience of any lawful judgment, order, or process of the court. Existing law also specifies certain criminal contempts of court, punishable as a misdemeanor, including, among other things, resistance willfully offered by a person to the lawful order or process of a court. This bill would make the willful disobedience by a juror of a court admonishment related to the prohibition on any form of communication or research about the case, including all forms of electronic or wireless communication or research, punishable as either a civil or criminal contempt of court pursuant to those provisions. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (3) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Bill Sponsors (1)

Votes


Actions


Aug 05, 2011

California State Legislature

Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 181, Statutes of 2011.

California State Legislature

Approved by the Governor.

Jul 25, 2011

California State Legislature

Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 1:30 p.m.

Jul 14, 2011

Assembly

In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.

Senate

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 37. Noes 0. Page 1864.).

Jul 12, 2011

Senate

Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.

Jul 11, 2011

Senate

From committee: Be placed on second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to consent calendar.

Jun 22, 2011

Senate

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: to consent calendar. (Ayes 4. Noes 0.) (June 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  • Referral-Committee
  • Committee-Passage
  • Committee-Passage-Favorable
Com. on APPR.

Jun 07, 2011

Senate

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 7). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

  • Referral-Committee
  • Committee-Passage
  • Committee-Passage-Favorable
Com. on JUD.

May 12, 2011

Senate

Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and JUD.

  • Referral-Committee
Coms. on PUB. S. and JUD.

Apr 14, 2011

Senate

In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

Assembly

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 60. Noes 0. Page 981.)

Apr 07, 2011

Assembly

Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.

Apr 06, 2011

Assembly

From committee: Do pass. To consent calendar. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 6).

Mar 15, 2011

Assembly

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (March 15). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  • Referral-Committee
  • Committee-Passage
  • Committee-Passage-Favorable
Com. on APPR.

Feb 03, 2011

Assembly

Referred to Com. on JUD.

  • Referral-Committee
Com. on JUD.

Jan 14, 2011

Assembly

From printer. May be heard in committee February 13.

Jan 13, 2011

Assembly

Read first time. To print.

Bill Text

Bill Text Versions Format
AB141 HTML
01/13/11 - Introduced PDF
07/18/11 - Enrolled PDF
08/05/11 - Chaptered PDF

Related Documents

Document Format
No related documents.

Sources

Data on Open States is updated periodically throughout the day from the official website of the California State Legislature.

If you notice any inconsistencies with these official sources, feel free to file an issue.