SB 239, explained

Crimes: criminal threats.

Active In Committee Process · Author: Arreguín

In plain English

This bill would allow courts to consider threatening an elections official or local elected official as a reason to give a harsher sentence. Currently, courts can only consider threats against state officials and judges as a reason for harsher sentences.

If this passes

What would actually change, according to the bill's official digest. No predictions, no opinions.

• When someone is convicted of threatening to kill or seriously injure an elections official, the court could use that threat as a reason to impose a tougher sentence
• When someone is convicted of threatening to kill or seriously injure an elected local agency official, the court could use that threat as a reason to impose a tougher sentence
• This applies to elections officials and elected officials at the city, county, or public district level
• The underlying crime (threatening death or great bodily injury) remains punishable as a misdemeanor or felony—this bill only expands what factors a court may consider during sentencing

Who's lobbying this bill

46 organizations reported lobbying activity mentioning this bill. California disclosures don't say which side an organization is on, only that they paid to influence it. Amounts shown are payments to lobbying firms where the filing discloses them.

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