Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for a person to picket or parade in or near a building that houses a court of this state with the intent to interfere with, obstruct, or impede the administration of justice or with the intent to influence any judge, juror, witness, or officer of the court in the discharge of their duty.
This bill would make it a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 for each violation, for a person to engage in picketing activity that is targeted, as defined, at and is within 300 feet of a targeted residential dwelling, as defined, and if enforcement of that law is suspended, would make it a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000, for a person to engage in picketing before or about a residential dwelling of an individual if the picketing proceeds on a definite course or route in front of, and is directed at, that residential dwelling. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would create a private right of action for a person who is aggrieved by the activities described above, and would authorize the court to award specified relief and damages to the aggrieved person.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.