California · Penal Code

PEN §5065.5: (a) A person or entity that enters into a contract with a criminal offender for the sale of the story of a crime for which the offender was convicted shall notify the California Department of Correcti

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

Persons contracting with convicted criminals to sell their crime stories must notify the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which then notifies victims or their families within 90 days.

Read the full statutory text

(a) A person or entity that enters into a contract with a criminal offender for the sale of the story of a crime for which the offender was convicted shall notify the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation that the parties have entered into a contract for sale of the offender’s story if both of the following conditions are met: (1) The offender’s conviction was for any offense specified in paragraph (1), except voluntary manslaughter, (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (9), (16), (17), (20), (22), (25), (34), or (35) of subdivision (c) of Section 1192.7. (2) Subdivision (b) of Section 340.3 of the Code of Civil Procedure does not preclude commencement of a civil action against the criminal offender. (b) Within 90 days of being notified, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall notify the victim, or if the victim cannot be reasonably notified, a member of the victim’s immediate family, who has requested notification of the existence of a contract described by this section. (c) For purposes of this section, “member of the victim’s immediate family” means a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandchild, or grandparent.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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