The State of California

  California Assembly Bill 1333 Sparks Debate Over Self-Defense Laws March 3, 2025 – Sacramento, CA A newly introduced bill in the California State Assembly, AB 1333, is drawing significant controversy as it proposes changes to the state’s self-defense laws. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles), seeks to establish a duty to retreat when outside the home, meaning individuals must attempt to escape from a threat—if a safe avenue exists—before resorting to force. Key Provisions of AB 1333 Duty to Retreat in Public: If passed, Californians outside their homes would be legally required to retreat from danger before using force, including deadly force, if they can do so safely. Limits on Defending Property: The bill would remove justifications for using force to protect property, further narrowing legal self-defense protections. Potential Changes to the Castle Doctrine: Critics argue the bill could weaken the state’s Castle Doctrine, which allows home...

California Bar Exam Meltdown Sparks Lawsuits, Legislative Inquiry, and Retake Offers The February 2025 California Bar exam has descended into chaos after catastrophic technical failures prevented thousands of test-takers from completing the exam, leading to lawsuits, a legislative inquiry, and unprecedented retake offers. Approximately 5,600 people registered for the two-day exam on February 25-26, but many encountered severe technical issues ranging from crashing software to sections that wouldn't save and poor connections. The problems primarily affected California's new bar exam format, which debuted in February after the state moved away from using components of the national bar exam administered by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. "These technical and support issues were and are unacceptable," the State Bar of California admitted in an email to examinees. Leah Wilson, the State Bar's Executive Director, noted that one of the most troubling issues ...