Key takeaways
- AB 321 lets judges decide before trial that a “wobbler” offense will proceed as a misdemeanor.
- AB 1263 and SB 704 tighten rules on ghost guns, gun parts and digital gun files.
- A federal judge blocked the mask ban in SB 627 for federal agents in February 2026, but left the ID requirement in place.
Every January, a new batch of California laws takes effect. The 2026 group includes several changes to criminal procedure, firearms, policing and traffic enforcement. Here is a plain-language overview of the most important ones.
AB 321: Judges can decide sooner whether a “wobbler” is a felony
Many California crimes are “wobblers,” meaning they can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor. AB 321, signed October 11, 2025, allows a court to decide at any time before trial that a wobbler should proceed as a misdemeanor. Supporters say this helps align charges with the evidence earlier and saves court time.
AB 1263 and SB 704: New rules on ghost guns
According to the Attorney General’s bulletin, these laws add age-verification and sales requirements for firearm barrels, parts and manufacturing machines; create criminal and civil liability for helping others illegally manufacture guns; tighten rules on distributing digital gun-making files; and impose 10-year firearm bans on people convicted of certain gun offenses.
SB 627: The “No Secret Police Act” and a court challenge
SB 627, signed in September 2025, restricts law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings that hide their identity during operations. The federal government sued. In February 2026, a federal judge blocked enforcement of the mask provision against federal agents, finding it treated federal officers differently from some state officers. The judge left in place a separate requirement that officers identify themselves. State lawmakers have proposed changes to address the ruling.
AB 461: Parents no longer face criminal penalties for truancy
Parents of chronically truant children can no longer be fined or jailed under the Penal Code. The state is shifting to a support-based approach to attendance.
Traffic and DUI-related changes
- AB 366 extends California’s ignition interlock device program for DUI offenders through January 2033.
- SB 720 lets local governments use automated red-light cameras that issue civil penalties that don’t affect a driver’s license.
Artificial intelligence enters the criminal law
- AB 316 prevents a defendant from arguing that an AI system they developed or used acted “on its own” to cause harm.
- SB 524 requires police to disclose when AI was used to help write an official report.
For survivors: AB 250
AB 250 opens a two-year window, starting January 1, 2026, for adult survivors of sexual assault to file certain civil claims even if the normal deadline has passed. Anyone considering such a claim should speak with an attorney promptly, because the window is limited.
Hurt by someone else’s crime or reckless driving? A criminal case and a civil injury claim are separate. Even when the state prosecutes the person responsible, victims may have the right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. The Law Office of Sean Keshishyan in Glendale offers free consultations for injury victims. Call (818) 246-6934 or send us a message.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and every situation is different. Please speak with a qualified attorney about your specific circumstances.
Sources
- California Courts Newsroom: New California laws going into effect in 2026 (Dec. 30, 2025)
- Attorney General: Informational bulletin on new ghost gun laws
- LAist: Judge temporarily blocks California’s “No Secret Police” mask ban
- California Legislative Information: AB 321
- abc10: California’s new laws for 2026
