Bill > AB1595

This bill revises the legal standards for challenging criminal convictions and sentences through writs of habeas corpus and motions to vacate judgments, aiming to make it easier for individuals to seek relief based on new evidence or misconduct. Key changes include lowering the threshold for demonstrating that false evidence or new evidence could have affected the outcome of a case, from requiring it to be "material" or "more likely than not" to requiring only a "reasonable likelihood" or "reasonable probability" of a different result that undermines confidence in the original outcome. It also modifies the presumption in favor of granting relief when prosecutors concede a legal or factual basis for habeas corpus, making such concessions binding unless specific conditions are met, and prohibits parties from withdrawing concessions made in open court or in pleadings. Additionally, the bill clarifies procedures for discovery in habeas corpus cases and adjusts the definition of "exonerated" for purposes of post-conviction services to exclude cases where a writ was granted solely because evidence pointed to innocence, while still including reversals due to insufficient evidence or absolute pardons based on innocence.

Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1595