There’s a new three-strikes felony in California.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 14 Sept. 25, adding child sex trafficking to the list of 40 crimes that impose heightened sentences for second and third offenses. The change will also prevent district attorneys from plea bargaining with defendants charged with child sex trafficking in most cases, and disallows diversion and probation.
“Human trafficking is a sick crime. With this new law, California is going further to protect kids,” Newsom said in a statement.
Existing law sets punishments for sex trafficking between eight and 20 years in state prison, and a maximum fine of $500,000. It also sets punishments for inducement