AB 2154 closes the gap relating to assaults and attempted murders of jurors, and other individuals that work in the justice system. Unfortunately, these prosecutors, judges, peace officers and other public officials are facing ever increasing personal attacks in retaliation for carrying out their official duties. Additionally, criminals are now targeting official's families in a coordinated effort to subvert the judicial process, Pacheco said. AB 2154 also protects the immediate families of these officials who have become targets of criminals.
Immediate family is defined as spouses, children and stepchildren.
AB 2154 covers assaults and attempted murders committed in retaliation for or to prevent the performance of the victim's official duty. This legislation, based on the case of a Deputy District Attorney in Riverside County, provides a needed increase in protections for those involved in our justice system. AB 2154 increases the protections afforded Jurors and those men and women that work in our justice system. The importance of protecting the integrity of our justice system from those individuals that seek to harm it cannot be underscored, Pacheco said.