California — California AB 910 would expand how courts consider abuse when survivors face criminal charges connected to human trafficking, intimate partner violence, or sexual violence. The proposal has renewed discussion about trauma, coercion, accountability, and the circumstances that may influence a survivor’s actions.
California Lawmakers Review AB 910 and Survivor Protections
Susan Bustamante, a 71-year-old Orange County resident who spent three decades in prison, has repeatedly traveled to Sacramento to advocate for expanded legal protections for abuse survivors. She says evidence of violence and threats by her husband was not fully presented to jurors during her 1987 trial.
Former Gov. Jerry Brown commuted her sentence in 2017, and she was released the following year. Bustamante now supports California Assembly Bill 910, introduced by Assemblymember Mia Bonta. The bill passed the Assembly and advanced through the Senate Public Safety Committee before being referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Prosecutor and law-enforcement organizations oppose the measure, while survivor advocacy and civil-rights groups support it.
How California AB 910 Could Affect Criminal Cases
Current California law provides an affirmative defense when a survivor was coerced into committing certain offenses as a direct result of trafficking, intimate partner violence, or sexual violence. However, that defense generally does not apply to violent felonies. (Senate Committee on Public Safety Analysis)
Assembly Bill 910 would potentially:
- Extend the affirmative defense to violent offenses, generally excluding murder
- Allow some previously convicted survivors to petition for vacatur
- Require a connection between the offense and the person’s victimization
- Permit judges to review evidence rather than automatically erase a conviction
- Expand record-sealing procedures when relief is granted
The bill remains proposed legislation and has not become law. Eligibility would depend on the final language, court findings, and the evidence presented.
Get Legal Guidance and Confidential Support
Survivors may face overlapping concerns related to safety, criminal proceedings, civil claims, privacy, and emotional recovery. Women’s Rights Group can help you understand available resources and connect you with appropriate legal support.
A sex trafficking lawyer can assess your circumstances, explain potential claims, and discuss applicable deadlines. Contact Women’s Rights Group for a free, confidential consultation and information about your options.
