New Criminal Law for 2011, Part 1

The California Legislature passed many new Criminal Laws to be enacted in 2011. Here is my list of the most interesting new laws.
Internet Impersonation: This bill would provide that any person who knowingly and without consent credibly impersonates another actual person through or on an internet Web site or by other electronic means, as specified, for purposes of harming, intimidating, threatening, or defrauding another person is guilty of a misdemeanor. Penal Code Section 528.5
Judges, Disqualification for Cause regarding Campaign Contributions:
This bill would provide for the disqualification of a judge who has received a contribution in excess of $1500 from a party or lawyer in the proceedings, and either the contribution was received in support of the judge’s last election, if the last election was within the last 6 years, or the contribution was received in anticipation of an upcoming election. Code of Civil Procedure Section 170.1
Marijuana: Simple Possession of Less then an Ounce is now an infraction: Every person who possesses not more than 28. 5 grams of marijuana, other than concentrated cannabis, is guilty of an infraction and is punishable by a fine. Health and Safety Code Section 11357(b)
Military Decoration Fraud: Any person who, orally, in writing, or by wearing any military decoration, falsely represents himself or herself to have been awarded any military decoration, as specified, with the intent to defraud, is guilty of a misdemeanor. Penal Code Section 532b
Grand Theft Threshold Increased from $400 to $950 this bill would increase the value threshold for committing grand theft from $400 to $950. Penal Code Section 487
Underage Drinkers–immunity from prosecution When Reporting Certain Emergencies; This bill would grant immunity from criminal prosecution for any person under the age of 21 years, where the person under the age of 21 years called 911 and reported that either himself or herself or another person was in need of medical assistance due to alcohol consumption. Business and Professions Code Sections 25658 and 25662