Police reports generated using body worn cameras in combination with A.I. will be regulated by law. High tech burglary tools and signal jammers are now outlawed. Johns can now be punished for loitering with the intent to purchase commercial sex. To follow is a brief description of these new laws and others in California in 2026 by Long Beach criminal attorney Matthew Kaestner.
A.I. Generated Police Reports
Companies Axon and Trueleo have A.I. products to assist officers in drafting initial police reports. The systems can link to officers’ body-worn camera footage to generate reports. New Penal Code Section 13663 requires warnings in reports, retention of first drafts, and constraints on vendor access to data for A.I.-generated police reports.
No Secret Police
New Government Code section 7289 and Penal Code section 185.5 make it a misdemeanor for law enforcement officers to wear masks during the performance of their duties. Federal challenges to the law were filed in November of 2025.
Police Misconduct Agreements Prohibited
Penal Code section 13510.9 was amended to prohibit agreements between police agencies and officers to: 1.) Destroy, remove or conceal a record of a misconduct investigation; 2.) To halt or make particular findings in a misconduct investigation or 3.) To restrict disclosure of information about an allegation or investigation of misconduct.
Attorney File Retention
Attorneys must now retain all felony files until the client is released from prison under new Penal Code section 1054.9(g).
Hypodermic Needles
To continue to combat the spread of HIV and other blood born diseases, Health and Safety code section 11364(d) now allows, for the indefinite future, persons to possess hypodermic needles for personal use.
Witness Intimidation
Newly amended Penal Code Section 136.1 prohibits witness “dissuasion” both before and after charges are filed.
Burglary and Looting
To combat looting of vulnerable residences after a disaster, Penal Code section 459 was amended to apply to the unlawful entry of homes damaged by a disaster, regardless of the type of disaster.
Also, Penal Code section 463 was amended to enhance penalties for burglaries and other thefts during a state of emergency or evacuation order.
Impersonating a first responder during an emergency is now a wobbler (can be filed as a felony or misdemeanor) (Amending Penal Code section 451.5 and adding sections 463.2 and 538i.)
High tech burglary tools are now prohibited under amended Penal Code section 466. These “tools” include key programming and duplicating devices and signal extenders. Their possession and manufacture for criminal purposes is a misdemeanor.
Stalking and Pet Threats
Threats to a person's pet, service animal, emotional support animal, or horse now constitute a “credible threat,” as required under the newly amended Section 646.9(g) of California’s stalking law.
Signal Jammers
Possession or manufacture or use of signal jammers (devices that intentionally block, jam, or
interfere with authorized radio or wireless communications) is now an infraction and can be a misdemeanor if a jammer is used for a crime or for repeat offenders. A felony can be charged if public emergency frequencies are jammed or if the jamming is likely to cause injury or death. Although these devices are readily available for order online, they are now prohibited under Penal Code section 636.6.
Soliciting Minors or Loitering for Prostitution
The trend to identify sex workers as vulnerable and to punish customers has been expanded. New Penal Code 647(l) makes solicitation a minor for sex a misdemeanor punishable from 2 days to 1 year in jail. A second offense can be charged as a felony. Under new P.C. 653.25, it is unlawful for any adult to loiter with the intent to purchase commercial sex.
Wobblers
A trial court’s power to reduce wobbler offenses to misdemeanors on its own motion has been expanded with the new amendment to Penal Code Section 17.
Juvenile Law
Juvenile probation may not exceed a term of one year unless extended after a hearing under new Welfare and Institutions Code section 602.05
Juvenile probationers may no longer be ordered to pay a fine under amended Welfare and Institutions Code section 730.
Ignition Interlock Devices
The law requiring courts to order interlock devices for repeat DUI offenders and first offenders where there was injury will be extended to the year 2033.
Mandated Reporters
The list of persons required to report child abuse has been extended to include certain school volunteers, governing board members and private school employees under amended Penal Code section 11165.7.
Electronic Bikes
E-bikes must now have a red reflector or solid flashing red light with a reflector on the rear at all times.[Amending Vehicle Code section 21201, 21212.]
Long Beach criminal lawyer, Matthew Kaestner, has been fighting criminal cases for over 40 years. Attorney Kaestner is board certified as a criminal law specialist since 1999. Whether you need the best defense for a violation of a new law for 2026 or other California crime, demand a lawyer, remain silent, and contact attorney Kaestner immediately. He will personally take your call and provide expert advice. Call him directly at: 562-437-0200.
