California 2015-2016 Regular Session Status: In Committee

SB 603 — Defendant: acting as his or her own attorney (in pro per).

Last action — Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed Assembly
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2015-2016 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

The California Constitution provides that a victim of crime is entitled to be treated with fairness and respect for his or her privacy and dignity throughout the criminal justice process. Existing law also provides that in a criminal action the defendant is entitled to appear and defend in person and with counsel, except as specified, and to confront the witnesses against him or her. Existing law makes it a crime for a person to practice law in this state unless he or she is a member of the State Bar. This bill would require a court to conduct a hearing to determine whether intermediary standby counsel shall be appointed, at county expense, for the limited purpose of presenting the defendant's examination of the victim, upon a motion by the prosecutor or at the request of a victim, if a defendant is acting as his or her own attorney in the proceeding and if the victim's testimony will involve a recitation of the facts of any felony offense for which a convicted defendant is required to register as a sex offender. The bill would require the hearing on the motion to be conducted outside the presence of the jury and would provide that the hearing shall not require the testimony of the victim. The bill would authorize the court to appoint intermediary standby counsel if the court makes specified findings, including that the denial of the defendant's personal examination of the victim, and the use of another person or the court to present the defendant's examination of the victim, is necessary to protect the victim from trauma, as specified. By imposing a higher level of service on counties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also include legislative findings and declarations and a statement of legislative intent. 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. January 21 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.

  3. Set for hearing January 21.

  4. From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  5. May 28 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.

  6. Set for hearing May 28.

  7. May 18 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.

  8. Set for hearing May 18.

  9. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  10. From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 730.) (April 21).

  11. Set for hearing April 21.

  12. Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  13. Read first time.

  14. From printer. May be acted upon on or after April 1.

  15. Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Sponsors

  • Hueso · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Hueso

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (121)

121 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Placed on suspense file

Passed 7 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 7000
Total 7000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (7)
Member Party Vote
Leyva — Yea
Nielsen — Yea
Hill — Yea
Lara — Yea
Mendoza — Yea
Bates — Yea
Beall — Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 603 do?
The California Constitution provides that a victim of crime is entitled to be treated with fairness and respect for his or her privacy and dignity throughout the criminal justice process. Existing law also provides that in a criminal action the defendant is entitled to appear and defend in person and with counsel, except as specified, and to confront the witnesses against him or her. Existing law makes it a crime for a person to practice law in this state unless he or she is a member of the State Bar. This bill would require a court to conduct a hearing to determine whether intermediary standby counsel shall be appointed, at county expense, for the limited purpose of presenting the defendant's examination of the victim, upon a motion by the prosecutor or at the request of a victim, if a defendant is acting as his or her own attorney in the proceeding and if the victim's testimony will involve a recitation of the facts of any felony offense for which a convicted defendant is required to register as a sex offender. The bill would require the hearing on the motion to be conducted outside the presence of the jury and would provide that the hearing shall not require the testimony of the victim. The bill would authorize the court to appoint intermediary standby counsel if the court makes specified findings, including that the denial of the defendant's personal examination of the victim, and the use of another person or the court to present the defendant's examination of the victim, is necessary to protect the victim from trauma, as specified. By imposing a higher level of service on counties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also include legislative findings and declarations and a statement of legislative intent. 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.
Who sponsors SB 603?
SB 603 is sponsored by Hueso.
What is the current status of SB 603?
This bill died with 2015-2016 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 603?
Track SB 603 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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