SB 1475

Under present law, aggravated cruelty to animals is a Class E felony, punishable by one to six years in prison and a jury-assessed fine up to $3,000. This bill increases the offense classification for aggravated cruelty to animals to a Class D felony, w hich is punishable by two to 12 years in prison and a jury-assessed fine up to $5,000. "SERIOUS YOUTHFUL OFFENDER"" CLASSIFICATION Present law requires a court to classify a child 14 years old or older as a serious youthful offender if the child meets any of the following criteria:  The child is adjudicated delinquent for committing or attempting to commit first or second degree murder as a 14- or 15-year-old.  The child is adjudicated delinquent for certain listed offenses and the child has a prior adjudication of delinquency for any such certain listed offenses.  The child has been adjudicated delinquent for one of the listed offenses and the district attorney general has asked the court to classify the child as a serious youthful offender. This bill adds aggravated cruelty to animals to the aforementioned list of offenses that may require the court to classify the child as a serious youthful offender if the above criteria is met. ADDITIONAL DISPOSITION FOR AGGRAVATED CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Present law authorizes a court to make any of several dispositions best suited to the child's treatment, rehabilitation, and welfare when a youth is found to be delinquent. A child classified as a serious youthful offender remains under such disposition s until 19, and possibly until 24 depending on the offense. However, this bill requires the court to add an additional three-year disposition beyond the serious youthful offender's 19 th birthday if the juvenile is adjudicated delinquent for aggravated crue lty to animals."