September 23, 2021: District Attorney George Gascón Sponsored Bill Protecting Crime Victims Becomes Law

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that a bill he sponsored protecting victims of domestic abuse, stalking, elder abuse and other crimes has been signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

"This bill plays a significant role in protecting some of our most vulnerable victims of violent crime," District Attorney Gascón said. "It's crucial that victims do not suffer any further trauma."

Assembly Bill 1281 amended sections of the expungement laws so that a case dismissal under those sections does not automatically lead to the dismissal of an unexpired 10-year restraining order that would protect someone from being physically or sexually abused, threatened, stalked or harassed.

Previously, the law was silent regarding the viability of unexpired 10-year protective orders after a defendant's case dismissal following the completion of probation or camp for any crime or after serving a non-probationary sentence for a misdemeanor offense.

The bill, authored by Assemblymember Blanca E. Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), clarified that a case dismissal does not automatically release a defendant from the requirements of such protective orders issued at the time of sentencing.

The law is effective January 1.