California Governor Signs Braun's Law, Targets DUI Offenders Statewide
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed Braun's Law, landmark legislation that fundamentally transforms how the state addresses repeat DUI offenders. Notably, this new law requires courts to issue explicit warnings during plea bargains and enables murder charges for repeat offenders who kill while driving under the influence. The legislation emerged from a devastating personal tragedy that claimed the life of Braun Levi. Along with Braun's Law, Newsom signed three additional bills that strengthen DUI penalties statewide. Understanding these new legal requirements is crucial for anyone navigating California's evolving DUI enforcement landscape.
Governor Newsom Signs Braun's Law to Combat Repeat DUI Offenders
What Prompted the Legislation
Senate Bill 907 emerged from a pattern of alcohol-related road deaths and systemic failures in California's DUI enforcement. Senator Bob Archuleta, a Democrat from Pico Rivera, authored the legislation after recognizing the state's inability to prevent repeat offenders from causing fatal crashes. A CalMatters investigation revealed California has some of the weakest DUI laws in the nation. Many dangerous drivers continued operating vehicles recklessly even after killing someone, with some killing again.
The investigation identified critical gaps in the state's approach to impaired driving. California's laws were described as weak and contradictory regarding manslaughter sentencing, with loose punishments failing to deter repeat offenders. The bill's fact sheet outlined five provisions designed to protect families from drunk drivers, improve road safety, hold repeat serial offenders accountable, close loopholes in existing law, and prevent future tragedies.
Archuleta brought personal experience to the legislative effort. His granddaughter Samantha died at the hands of a repeat drunk driver, making the issue deeply personal for the senator. This tragedy fueled his determination to strengthen California's response to impaired driving. Jennifer Levi, mother of Braun Levi, partnered with Archuleta after her son's death in May 2025. She worked with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and pushed state leaders to take action.
The legislation faced significant obstacles during the legislative process. An initial package of 17 bills aimed at addressing traffic deaths ultimately saw only four bills reach the governor's desk. Most failed due to fierce opposition from progressive groups that argued increasing enforcement and penalties would disproportionately harm low-income and historically marginalized residents. These groups contended that enhanced penalties were not the best approach to traffic safety.
Despite pushback, the surviving bills notably increase potential penalties for repeat DUI offenders. The fact that four bills passed left advocates hopeful that California was ready for change and recognized the need to make the state safer.
The Bill Signing Ceremony
Governor Newsom signed SB 907 on September 25, 2026, marking a significant shift in California's approach to repeat DUI offenders. The signing carried personal significance, with Newsom and the First Partner visiting Jennifer Levi's home to mark the occasion. A photo from the event showed the smiling first couple alongside Archuleta and Levi in her dining room. The image was included with the official bill signing announcement.
Jennifer Levi expressed gratitude for the governor's action. She thanked Newsom and the First Partner for listening, taking action, and helping make California safer by signing SB 907. She acknowledged Senator Archuleta and LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman's office for their unwavering support in moving the legislation across the finish line. Levi stated she was proud to be a Californian and inspired by what happens when people use their voices and leaders choose to take action.
Senator Archuleta emphasized the preventable nature of drunk driving tragedies during the signing. He thanked Newsom for taking bold action to support families devastated by drunk drivers. Archuleta noted that nothing would bring back Samantha or Braun, but California was finally stepping up for victims by signing SB 907.
Who Was Braun Levi and Why Does His Story Matter?
The Tragedy That Sparked Change
Braun Levi was an 18-year-old nationally ranked tennis player who captained the Loyola High School varsity team for three years. Just weeks before his high school graduation, he won the Mission League doubles championship on April 29, 2025. His coach Brian Held described him as "probably the most decorated player to ever play for the school". Beyond tennis, Levi served on the student council, worked as a retreat leader, and managed the volleyball team. He had earned admission to the University of Virginia on a tennis scholarship.
On May 4, 2025, around 12:45 a.m., Levi was walking with a friend on Sepulveda Boulevard near 2nd Street in Manhattan Beach when Jenia Resha Belt struck him with her silver Infiniti FX35. The force propelled his body down the roadway, causing catastrophic injuries. Manhattan Beach Fire Department transported him to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.
Belt admitted to officers she had consumed a Moscow mule at a bar in Hermosa Beach before driving. Her blood alcohol content measured 0.19%, more than twice California's legal limit. Records revealed her license had been suspended in January 2024 as part of a plea deal for a 2023 DUI hit-and-run, in which prosecutors dismissed the DUI charge. Belt now faces murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and driving with a suspended license.
The Levi family had relocated to Manhattan Beach months earlier after losing their home in the January 2025 Palisades Fire. Following the disaster, Braun worked with his best friend to organize an overnight retreat for displaced students and helped create a peer-to-peer counseling space.
Senator Archuleta's Personal Connection
Senator Bob Archuleta brought personal experience to the legislative fight. His granddaughter Samantha died at the hands of a repeat drunk driver. "Having lost my granddaughter to a repeat drunk driver, this is personal," Archuleta stated. He emphasized that no family should endure what his family or the Levis experienced.
Jennifer Levi Becomes a Road Safety Advocate
Jennifer Levi transformed her grief into action. "The feeling, the sight, the smell of identifying our son's body will never leave my mind, body, or soul, so I will not be silent," she declared. She partnered with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and joined their California State Legislative Board as an advocate for DUI sentencing reform.
The family established the Live Like Braun Foundation, directing all proceeds from their $200 million wrongful death lawsuit against Belt toward the foundation. The organization focuses on providing scholarships, building public tennis centers, and raising awareness about impaired driving. In November 2025, the family filed the lawsuit through attorneys Spencer Lucas, Bobby Reagan, and Alec Clark. "This is not a decision rooted in anger, vengeance, or financial gain," Jennifer Levi explained. "It is a decision grounded in accountability, prevention, reform, and the unwavering love we have for Braun".
What Does Braun's Law Require from Courts and Prosecutors?
SB 907 establishes specific legal mechanisms that courts and prosecutors must follow when handling DUI cases across California. The law introduces mandatory procedures designed to prevent repeat offenses and strengthen accountability at multiple points in the criminal justice process.
Judicial Warnings for Plea Bargains
The law mandates Watson advisements in all situations where a DUI charge is dismissed by the court or reduced to any other charge. This requirement extends to hit-and-run cases as well, closing a significant gap in previous enforcement practices. Watson advisements serve as formal judicial warnings that explicitly inform defendants about the lethal consequences of impaired driving.
Drivers whose DUI charges are pled down to lesser offenses must receive clear warnings that impaired driving is detrimental to human life. Courts can no longer allow plea bargains to proceed without this mandatory warning. The advisement creates a legal record establishing that the defendant received explicit notice about the dangers of driving under the influence. Should that individual cause a death in a subsequent incident, prosecutors gain the ability to pursue more serious charges based on this documented warning.
Enhanced Hit-and-Run Penalties
California courts must now impose increased punishment for hit-and-run offenses when the driver has a prior DUI conviction within 10 years. This provision applies to both standard hit-and-run cases and those involving injury. The 10-year lookback period ensures that drivers with relatively recent DUI histories face enhanced consequences for fleeing accident scenes.
The enhanced penalties reflect recognition that drivers who combine impaired driving with leaving accident scenes pose heightened dangers to public safety. By the same token, the provision addresses situations where DUI charges may have been dismissed or reduced in prior cases, provided that a conviction still exists on the driver's record.
Murder Charges for Repeat Offenders
Braun's Law targets repeat offenders by adding a three-year enhancement for prior felony DUI convictions. This enhancement increases sentences for defendants with previous felony DUI convictions on their records. Should the driver commit the same act again, prosecutors can file more serious charges, including murder.
The murder charge provision marks a substantial shift in California's legal approach to repeat DUI offenders who kill. Previously, such cases typically resulted in vehicular manslaughter charges. The new law enables prosecutors to pursue second-degree murder charges when drivers with documented warnings and prior convictions cause fatal crashes. This prosecutorial option applies specifically to cases where the defendant received Watson advisements in earlier proceedings, establishing knowledge of the deadly risks associated with impaired driving.
What Additional Bills Did Newsom Sign Alongside Braun's Law?
Newsom signed three additional bills alongside SB 907 to strengthen California's response to repeat DUI offenders. State officials stated these measures would increase accountability and help keep impaired drivers off California roadways. Assembly Member Nick Schultz and Assembly Member Tom Lackey introduced the companion legislation as part of a comprehensive effort to address alcohol-related traffic deaths.
AB 1546 Makes Third DUI a Felony
Assembly Member Nick Schultz authored AB 1546 to strengthen criminal penalties for repeat DUI offenders. Under existing California law, a third DUI conviction within a 10-year period remained a misdemeanor, with only a fourth conviction eligible for felony charges. AB 1546 transforms a third DUI conviction within 10 years into a wobbler offense, giving prosecutors discretion to charge defendants with either a felony or misdemeanor.
The bill establishes a fifth or subsequent DUI within 10 years as a straight felony rather than a wobbler. If convicted, courts can order up to three years of imprisonment or allow felony probation depending on case circumstances. AB 1546 increases the license revocation period to five years for individuals convicted of their fifth or subsequent DUI within 10 years. The bill extends ignition interlock device installation requirements, mandating a 36-month IID term if the conviction occurred within 10 years of three specified prior DUI offenses. For those convicted of their fifth or subsequent DUI in 10 years, the IID installation period extends to four years instead of three.
AB 1685 Increases DMV Violation Points
Assembly Member Tom Lackey introduced AB 1685 to strengthen the DMV's point system for serious offenses. The bill requires that a conviction for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated receive a value of three points on a driver's record. This marks the first three-point violation under California law. Previously, such convictions resulted in two points against a driver's record. The law takes effect in 2031.
AB 1687 Extends License Revocation Periods
AB 1687, also known as Irene's Law, extends license revocation periods for repeat offenders. The bill authorizes the DMV to revoke driving privileges for eight years if a person receives three or more specified impaired driving convictions within a 10-year period. Previously, the department could not reinstate privileges until three years after revocation. Under the new law, the DMV cannot reinstate driving privileges until eight years after revocation unless specific conditions are met.
The bill allows drivers to apply for restricted license reinstatement four years from the date of the last conviction. Applicants must agree to install and maintain an ignition interlock device for two years following reinstatement. The DMV will reinstate licenses if the person was not convicted of any drug or alcohol-related offenses during the revocation period, completed required DUI programs, and was not convicted of driving on a suspended or revoked license. This law takes effect in 2031.
Enhanced Penalties for Multiple Violations
AB 1687 targets drivers with four or more prior convictions within a 10-year period who commit another DUI causing bodily injury. The bill requires a 72-month license suspension for these offenders. The legislation prohibits the department from reinstating driving privileges until 72 months after revocation, subject to requirements including maintaining a functioning certified ignition interlock device for 72 months.
How Will These Laws Change California's DUI Enforcement Landscape?
Addressing California's Weak DUI Laws
Impaired driving remains a persistent challenge across California. The state experiences an average of 34,000 impaired-driving crashes each year. Between 2023 and 2025, crashes attributed to DUI resulted in an average of more than 800 deaths and nearly 20,000 injuries annually. Nationwide data shows impaired drivers are involved in about 30% of traffic fatalities.
The legislation California Governor Newsom signed responds to post-pandemic trends showing DUI arrests have surged while alcohol-related traffic deaths remain high. Law enforcement agencies increasingly rely on automation and technology-driven enforcement methods. Courts now impose longer probation periods for serious DUI offenses, expanded ignition interlock device mandates, and reduced judicial bottlenecks.
The Road Ahead for Traffic Safety Reform
California continues to tighten DUI enforcement in light of ongoing public safety concerns. The 2025-2026 legislative changes significantly affect penalties, sentencing exposure, and post-conviction requirements. Repeat offenders face greater likelihood of jail time, longer probation periods, increased fines, expanded use of ignition interlock devices, and less flexibility in sentencing negotiations. Judges received broader discretion to impose stricter penalties when prior DUI convictions exist. These updates reinforce the state's approach, making dismissals and reductions more difficult without strong legal defenses.
Conclusion
California's approach to repeat DUI offenders has fundamentally shifted with Braun's Law and three companion bills. These measures close critical gaps in enforcement by mandating judicial warnings during plea bargains, enabling murder charges for repeat offenders, and extending license revocations. The legislation emerged from devastating personal losses, notably Braun Levi's death and Senator Archuleta's granddaughter Samantha. Undeniably, these reforms address California's historically weak DUI laws that allowed dangerous drivers to remain on roadways. Prosecutors now possess stronger tools to hold repeat offenders accountable, while enhanced penalties signal the state's commitment to preventing future tragedies. California has finally stepped up for victims and their families.
References
[1] – https://www.govbuddy.com/california/bills/ab-1687/
[2] – https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/west/newsom-signs-brauns-law-to-reform-laws-on-repeat-dui-offenders/
[3] – https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/09/25/governor-newsom-signs-brauns-law-and-package-of-bills-to-crack-down-on-dui-offenders/
[4] – https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-09-25/dui-drivers-face-increased-penalties-under-new-laws-signed-by-newsom
[5] – https://atrn.assembly.ca.gov/system/files/2026-04/1685.pdf
[6] – https://fox40.com/news/newsom-signs-brauns-law-to-reform-laws-on-repeat-dui-offenders/
[7] – https://www.chp.ca.gov/news-alerts/news-list/chp-launches-statewide-dui-enforcement-surge-ahead-of-summer-weekend/
[8] – https://abc7.com/post/newsom-signs-brauns-law-package-bills-aimed-cracking-down-dui-offenders-california/19873261/
[9] – https://schultz.asmdc.org/opeds/20260115-ab-1546-tackling-alcohol-related-roadway-fatalities
[10] – https://legiscan.com/CA/text/AB1546/id/3299946
[11] – https://spsf.senate.ca.gov/system/files/2026-06/ab-1685-analysis.pdf
[12] – https://spsf.senate.ca.gov/system/files/2026-06/ab-1687-analysis.pdf
[13] – https://legiscan.com/CA/text/AB1687/id/3446040
[14] – https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202520260ab1687
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