Bill > SB1474

This bill amends existing California law to expand the powers of the Attorney General regarding grand jury proceedings. Specifically, it clarifies that when a crime occurs across multiple jurisdictions, any competent court within those jurisdictions has the authority to hear the case, and it grants the Attorney General broader authority to direct grand juries to investigate criminal matters, even without the district attorney's agreement. The Attorney General can now take full charge of presenting cases to grand juries, issue subpoenas, prepare indictments, and perform other related duties, similar to a district attorney. Furthermore, the bill allows the Attorney General to petition for special grand juries to investigate specific offenses, including those related to welfare and institutions code violations, and to impanel a special statewide grand jury for cases involving fraud or theft that span multiple counties, with provisions for subpoenas and indictments that can be presented in any county where the crime could have been prosecuted.