People v. Cawkwell

*1050A jury found Rennard Cawkwell guilty of communicating with a minor with the intent to commit a specified sex offense ( Pen. Code, § 288.3, subd. (a) ) and annoying or molesting a child ( Pen. Code, § 647.6, subd. (a)(1) ).1 The trial court sentenced him to four years in prison and ordered that he register as a sex offender under section 290.

After Cawkwell was sentenced, the Legislature established a diversion program for defendants diagnosed with qualifying mental health disorders. (See Stats. 2018, ch. 34, § 24; § 1001.36, subd. (a).) A few months later, the Legislature amended the diversion…