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Criminal

Feb. 14, 2024

GOP lawmakers propose tougher penalties for retail theft

Two Republican lawmakers in California have introduced bills to increase penalties for retail theft, including AB 2391, which would make potential “economic injury” a reason for denying a defendant release without bail after an arrest, and AB 2406, which would create a new felony punishable by two to six years in prison for those who employ or coerce two or more minors to commit thefts.

Two GOP lawmakers are getting creative as they seek to increase penalties for criminals who commit retail theft.

AB 2391 by Assemblyman Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, would make potential “economic injury” a reason a judge could deny a defendant release without bail after an arrest. What this means in practical terms is that a judge could set bail or deny release if they believed the arrestee would commit new thefts.

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