People Ex Rel. Pierson v. Superior Court of El Dorado County

Opinion

BUTZ, Acting P. J.

It is self-evident that the public has an interest in the investigation of a peace officer’s use of lethal force. In furtherance of that interest, the Legislature in 2015 amended Penal Code section 917 1 to “prohibit a grand jury from inquiring into an offense that involves a . . . use of [lethal] force by a peace officer” for the purpose of returning an indictment (see § 917, subd. (b)), or in returning an accusation under section 919 (which is not at issue in this appeal; § 919, subd. (c)). (See Legis. Counsel’s Dig., Sen. Bill No. 227 (2015-2016 Reg. Sess.) Stats.…