Staying Current in California Criminal Law with CEB Resources

In California’s fast-moving criminal justice system, staying current on new laws, court decisions, and procedural updates is essential. Whether you’re a seasoned criminal defense attorney, a new deputy district attorney, or a solo practitioner juggling multiple case types, your ability to serve clients and navigate the courtroom depends on your command of the latest developments.

Each year, the Legislature passes new criminal statutes, the California Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal issue decisions that reshape practice, and procedural reforms—such as bail reform or sentencing enhancements—shift how cases are charged and resolved. Add in an increasing emphasis on constitutional issues, discovery obligations, and criminal justice reform, and it’s easy to see why staying current is a full-time job. With a full suite of up-to-date resources tailored specifically for California practitioners, CEB offers criminal law attorneys the practical guidance, legal updates, and research tools they need to keep pace with change—and stay ahead in court.

CEB Criminal Law Resources: Designed for California Lawyers

CEB’s criminal law offerings are written by and for California attorneys. They blend black-letter law with procedural guidance, practical tips, and strategic insights. Whether you’re drafting a motion to suppress, preparing for a preliminary hearing, or advising on post-conviction relief, CEB has you covered.

Some key titles every criminal practitioner should consider:

California Criminal Law: Procedure and Practice – A flagship resource, this comprehensive guide covers pretrial motions, discovery, trial practice, sentencing, and appeals. Updated annually, it reflects current statutes, cases, and best practices.

California Criminal Sentencing Enhancements – Explains how enhancements like prior strikes, gang allegations, firearm use, and serious felony priors interact with sentencing laws under the Determinate Sentencing Act.

Effective Introduction of Evidence in California 2024 — This guide to the California Evidence Code covers social media evidence and offers practical strategies for presenting and challenging evidence in trials and depositions.

Using CEB’s Digital Platform for Legal Updates

CEB’s OnLaw Pro and Practitioner tools allow you to stay updated in real time. When a new case is decided or a statute is amended, CEB’s team of legal editors integrates those updates directly into the digital text.

Benefits include:

Searchable databases – Quickly locate relevant sections using keywords, statute numbers, or practice terms.

Linked citations – Jump directly from a statutory reference to its full text.

Update alerts – Know when a key area of law has changed, and see the new language reflected in context.

This ensures that your legal strategy and courtroom arguments are always based on the most current authority.

Meeting Your MCLE and Specialty Credit Needs

Criminal law attorneys in California must fulfill MCLE requirements, including specialty hours on competence, elimination of bias, and now civility and technology. CEB offers:

Criminal law–focused MCLE content – Including webinars, on-demand video courses, and self-study articles.

Specialty credit courses – Many of which are embedded in criminal law topics, such as ethics in discovery or bias in policing and sentencing.

Live events and trainings – Featuring panels of judges, defense attorneys, and prosecutors discussing emerging issues in California criminal practice.

This allows you to stay sharp, compliant, and engaged with the broader legal community.

Research Support for Real-World Scenarios

In criminal practice, the questions you face aren’t theoretical—they’re practical, urgent, and often case-specific.

CEB helps answer unique to California criminal law questions, such as:

1. Can a defendant waive time under Penal Code § 1382 and still demand a speedy trial later?
2. What’s the proper procedure for moving to suppress evidence obtained through a warrantless search?
3. How does California’s Three Strikes law interact with recent resentencing legislation?
4. What are the immigration consequences of a plea to a specific misdemeanor?

Rather than comb through scattered sources, you can consult CEB’s focused guidance to find what you need, when you need it.

Action Guides

Each CEB guide includes practice tips, checklists, and procedural timelines that are particularly helpful for new or transitioning attorneys. These can help you:

1. Prepare a discovery meet-and-confer letter that complies with local court expectations.
2. Track filing and service deadlines for a motion to dismiss under Penal Code § 995.
3. Format sentencing memos or mitigation briefs according to judicial preferences.
4. Anticipate collateral consequences of plea deals and sentencing outcomes.

By blending legal rules with strategic suggestions, CEB helps you move beyond compliance into confident practice.

Staying Ahead of Reforms and Trends

California criminal law is heavily influenced by policy shifts and legislative trends. From Proposition 47 to Senate Bill 81, changes come quickly—and they often impact how prosecutors charge and how defense attorneys advocate.

CEB resources regularly address:

1. New diversion programs (mental health, veterans, drug court)
2. Probation reform and early termination eligibility
3. Resentencing petitions under Penal Code § 1172.1 and § 1172.75
4. Shifts in prosecutorial discretion under new DA policies

For attorneys seeking to be proactive rather than reactive, these insights are indispensable.

Stay up to date on criminal law with CEB

CEB provides a range of online services designed to enhance legal practice, including Practitioner, CEB’s all-in-one legal research solution with authoritative practice guides. Practitioner is meticulously crafted by California lawyers for California lawyers, providing comprehensive insights and resources tailored to your specific needs. All practice guides seamlessly integrate with CEB’s primary law research tool, empowering you to delve into California, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and U.S. Supreme Court case law, alongside California statutes and the California Constitution. As part of the Practitioner subscription, you gain access to DailyNews, ensuring you stay updated on any critical new cases or developments in your field. And don’t forget, Practitioner also includes TrueCite®, CEB’s powerful case law citator, enhancing your research efficiency and accuracy.

Our tools offer unparalleled support in case law research, legal analysis, and staying updated with the latest judicial decisions. By choosing CEB, you gain access to a wealth of knowledge, enabling you to navigate complex legal landscapes with confidence and precision.