The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.AB 2108 requires prosecutors to evaluate retail theft defendants for diversion programs
Record date · August 13, 2026
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What This Bill Proposed
AB 2108 requires prosecutors or county probation departments to determine if defendants charged with specific theft offenses, such as shoplifting and vandalism, are eligible for s. If a defendant successfully completes the program's terms, the court must dismiss the criminal charges against them.
This bill changes the legal process for retail theft cases by mandating that prosecutors formally assess eligibility for diversion, which can lead to case dismissal for defendants who comply with program requirements.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
prosecuting attorneys
They are required to review files for specific factors and file declarations regarding defendant eligibility for diversion.
county probation departments
They are required to determine eligibility for diversion programs for certain theft offenses.
defendants charged with shoplifting or vandalism
They are subject to a mandatory eligibility review for diversion programs that could lead to the dismissal of their charges.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a defendant completes the diversion program?
Does this apply to all theft crimes?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Bill to expand diversion for retail theft dies
DA Pierson joins opposition to retail theft diversion proposal
Public safety advocates clash with dem legislators over bill expanding diversion for retail theft
Public Safety Advocates Clash With Democratic Legislators Over Bill Expanding Diversion for Retail Theft
California’s Democrat Lawmakers Must Want Crime, Drugs and Homelessness to Increase
Bias ratings based on AllSides / Media Bias/Fact Check
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · introduced in the Assembly.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Mandatory Eligibility Review
The bill shifts the nature of diversion programs from discretionary options to a mandatory review process for specific theft offenses.
Connected Entities
Sources
openstates.org
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy60Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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