- Ref # CAS10117
- January 02, 2026
2026 New and Amended Statutes Edition - Exclusive to Professional Subscribers
The California Legal Update – Vol. 31, No. 1 (New and Amended Statutes Edition)
Colleagues and Professional Subscribers,
The California Legislature has been characteristically active this past session, passing a significant volume of new laws that affect law enforcement, prosecutors, and the judiciary. Most of these statutes go into effect immediately on January 1, 2026.
We are pleased to announce the release of the 2026 New and Amended Statutes Edition of the California Legal Update, comprehensively summarized by Deputy District Attorney Robert C. Phillips (Ret). This Special Update is Exclusive to our Professional & Agency-wide Subscribers.
This edition cuts through the legislative complexity to provide you with the critical changes you need to know for the field and the courtroom.
Highlights of the 2026 Update Include:
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Interrogations & Miranda: A tightening of the Miranda rules whenever a police officer or prosecutor intends to question a suspect concerning a family member who was either killed or seriously injured.
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Artificial Intelligence: New mandates for law enforcement agencies regarding the use of AI in drafting official reports and the requirement to disclose AI involvement.
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Firearms & Ghost Guns: Extensive updates, including new definitions for "machinegun-convertible pistols," stricter regulations on "ghost guns" and firearm manufacturing machines, and changes to concealed carry permit standards for non-residents.
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Cannabis & Hemp: A major overhaul of regulations concerning "intoxicating hemp products" and the integration of hemp-derived cannabinoids into the state regulatory supply chain.
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Crimes Against Children: Expansion of the list of "mandated reporters" to include talent agents and coaches, as well as new restrictions on hiring persons with specified sex convictions in schools.
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Vehicle Code: New definitions and regulations for "Off-Highway Electric Motorcycles" (eMotos) and updated safety equipment requirements for electric bicycles.
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Signal Jammers: A new statute specifically criminalizing the possession, operation, and use of signal jammers to block public safety communications.
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Racial Justice Act: Significant procedural amendments regarding discovery, pre-judgment remedies, and prima facie showings.
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And much more....
Important Note: This update focuses on statutes of interest to law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges. As always, while we have made a sincere effort to summarize these changes accurately, it is strongly recommended that you consult the unedited statutes before applying them in the field or the courtroom.
Reminder: To download this important update, please log in and click Download at the top right of this article, next to the date.
Stay safe and stay informed.
Sincerely,
Robert C. Phillips, Deputy District Attorney (Ret).
Legal Updates Founding Member
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