CA AB2339

Requires Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco counties to establish deferred entry of judgment programs for defendants arrested for disorderly conduct (Section 647, excluding subdivisions b, j, or l), public nuisance (Section 372), or trespassing (Section 602) who have mental health or substance abuse disorders.

Allows courts to summarily grant deferred entry of judgment if the defendant consents, pleads guilty, and waives speedy trial rights, with the period not exceeding the maximum jail sentence for the underlying offense.

Requires defendants to participate in court-approved programs (selected with advice from assigned mental health professionals or social workers) providing assistance, shelter, and treatment for mental health or substance abuse disorders.

Mandates each county assign at least one mental health professional or social worker to collaborate with the court and county jail to address housing and services for arrested individuals, with availability at the jail for counseling homeless individuals.

Upon satisfactory program completion, criminal charges are dismissed and the arrest is deemed to have never occurred, though disclosure to peace officer applications remains required; unsuccessful performance results in entry of judgment and sentencing.