Public Safety
New California law limits undercover jailhouse stings targeting young people
AB 1905 restricts Perkins operations against people under 26 for crimes they allegedly committed as minors, with a narrow exception for immediate threats to life.
A new California law limits when police can use undercover agents posing as incarcerated people to elicit statements from young suspects, CalMatters reported October 1. Assembly Bill 1905, authored by Burbank Assemblymember Nick Schultz, applies to people under 26 who are accused of crimes committed when they were 17 or younger.
What it means locally
The law bars so-called Perkins operations in those cases except under limited circumstances when authorities believe someone’s life may be in danger. It takes effect January 1. CalMatters previously examined cases in Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside and Santa Clara counties and reported concerns from judges, lawmakers and defense attorneys about coercion and unreliable statements. Prosecutors and law-enforcement groups argued that the restriction removes a useful investigative tool. The governor’s September 27 legislative update confirms AB 1905 was signed. The accompanying photograph shows the Burbank Courthouse in March 2026 and is archival; it does not depict an undercover operation or a case discussed in the reporting.
Full report and further details: Read original report →