Bill > AB2698

This bill establishes a pilot program for youth court diversion, allowing the Office of Youth and Community Restoration to award grants to six counties to create programs for first-time misdemeanor juvenile offenders aged 17 and younger. Participants, who must have committed offenses like petty theft, vandalism, or certain drug possession charges, will appear before a jury of trained high school student volunteers who, mentored by attorneys, will determine a disposition such as community service or youth court jury duty, without making a guilt or innocence determination. The bill also increases the punishment for carjacking, a crime involving the forceful or fearful taking of a vehicle from someone's presence, to 4, 6, or 10 years in state prison.