HI SB2314

Persons originally charged with abuse of a family or household member become ineligible for deferred acceptance of guilty plea or nolo contendere plea if the charge is subsequently reduced to a lesser included offense.

Closes a loophole where defendants could plead down to lesser charges like assault or harassment to become eligible for deferred pleas and potential expungement.

Maintains existing mandatory minimum sentences: 48 hours for first offense and 30 days for repeat offenders within one year.

Defendant must be immediately incarcerated to serve mandatory minimum sentence upon conviction, though may be admitted to bail pending appeal or if special circumstances exist.

Effective January 7, 2059.