On September 25, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom approved four new laws to address alcohol-related road deaths in California. The legislative package includes Senate Bill 907, which significantly increases the legal consequences for repeat offenders.
SB 907 turns a third DUI within a decade into a felony
Senate Bill 907, officially known as Braun's Law, fundamentally changes the felony threshold for California dirvers. Under this new law, a third DUI offense occurring within a ten-year window will now trigger felony charges, a significant escalation from the previous requirement of a fourth offense. This legislation honors Braun Levi, an 18-year-old tennis player who was killed in a Manhattan Beach crash involving suspeected repeat offender Jenia Belt.
The new law also aims to provide more leverage to prosecutors seeking justice in fatal accidents. As the report states, it is now easier to charge drunk drivers with murder if they have a prior DUI arrest, even if that previous charge was eventually pled down. This chnge is intended to ensure that a history of impaired driving is directly linked to the severity of subsequent fatal incidents.
The DMV's new six-year license revocation mandate
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will gain expanded authority to strip licenses from habitual offenders starting in 2031. Drivers convicted of more than three DUIs will face a mandatory six-year license revocation. Furthermore, the DMV is now required to revoke a license for six years if an individual causes injury while driving under the influence after having four prior DUI convictions.
Additional changes to driver sanctions were included in the package to increase the cost of recidivism. One measure, part of a package from Assemblymember Tom Lackey, increases the license suspension for drivers convicted of killing someone while intoxicated from two years to three years. While the bill was originally intended to cover all vehicular manslaughter cases, it was narrowed to focus specifically on intoxication-related offenses.
Closing the loophole for murder charges in fatal crashes
California's legislative shift follows an LAist investigation into the state's historical failure to removve dangerous drivers from the road. the investigation revealed that many individuals continued to drive recklessly even after causing fatal accidents, and in some cases, killed again. Governor Newsom has signaled that the legislature should look toward even broader frameworks, such as mandatory in-car breathalyzers, in the coming year to prevent these tragedies.
The new penalties also include specific jail and fine structures for those with multiple violations. According to the source, individuals with two prior violations could face a misdemeanor with up to one year in county jail or a felony sentence of 16 months to three years. Those with four prior violations could face a straight felony with similar sentencing and fines ranging from $390 to $1,000.
The tension between safety advocates and Smart Justice California
Progressive advocacy groups such as Smart Justice California have voiced strong opposition to the expansion of these penalties.. These critics argue that increased enforcement and harsher sentencing may disproportionately impact low-income and historically marginalized residents. They contend that existing penalties may already act as a sufficient deterrent and that expanding them could lead to unnecessary incarceration.
The debate leaves several critical questions regarding the efficacy of the new laws. It remains unverified whether these escalated felony charges will actually serve as a deterrent to potential offenders or if they will primarily increase the buren on the state's judicial system. Additionally, there is the ongoing question of whether these measures will successfully address the systemic issues identified by road safety advocates.
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