California Assembly Votes to Allow Arrestees to Go Straight to Social Services

The California State Assembly voted unanimously to let individuals arrested by police be delivered or referred to a public health or social services organization instead of facing custody and arraignment. Under the arresting officer’s discretion, when “no further proceedings are desired,” AB 2215 would allow the “release an arrested person from custody without bringing the person before a magistrate if the person is, subsequent to being arrested, delivered or referred to a public health or social service organization that provides services including, but not limited to, housing, medical care, treatment for alcohol or substance use disorders, psychological counseling, or employment training and education.” Under existing law, individuals arrested and placed into custody without an existing warrant must be brought to a magistrate for arraignment “without unnecessary delay.” Should AB 2215, written by Assembly member Isaac Bryan, D-Los Angeles and co authored by Assembly members Juan Alanis, R-Modesto, and Tom Lackey, R-Palmdale, pass the Senate, it could significantly reduce the population of individuals waiting in jail to be charged.