California Enacted Braun’s Law to Deter DUI Repeat Offenders
The new legislation warns drivers of potential murder charges for repeat DUI offenses after a fatal incident.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Sex Crimes
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed SB 907, known as Braun's Law, into effect in California. The bill requires drivers who plead down DUI charges to receive a formal warning that subsequent impaired driving offenses could lead to murder charges.
Why it matters
The law aims to curb repeat DUI offenses by ensuring defendants are explicitly aware of the severe legal consequences they face. It serves as a deterrent by clarifying that fatal future incidents could result in murder charges rather than standard vehicular manslaughter counts.
The driver involved in the May 2025 death of 18-year-old Braun Levi was formally charged with murder and gross vehicular manslaughter in December 2025.
The players
Gavin Newsom
He is the Governor of California who signed SB 907 into law.
Braun Levi
He was an 18-year-old who died after being struck by a suspected drunken driver.
The details
Braun's Law mandates that any individual who accepts a plea deal for a DUI charge must be informed of the potential for future murder charges. This legislation was inspired by the death of Braun Levi, who was killed by an allegedly impaired driver in Manhattan Beach.
Timeline
January 2025: The Levi family lost their home in the Palisades Fire.
May 4, 2025: Braun Levi was struck and killed by a driver in Manhattan Beach.
December 2025: The driver in the fatal incident was charged with murder and vehicular manslaughter.
September 25, 2026: Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 907 into law.
Legal Context
This legislation builds upon California's existing judicial precedents regarding vehicular homicide. By requiring explicit warnings, the state aims to formalize the legal expectations for repeat offenders and clarify the consequences for subsequent DUI-related fatalities.
Residents should be aware that the state has increased its focus on the prosecution of repeat DUI offenders following this legislative shift. The law may lead to more stringent legal outcomes for those who continue to drive while impaired after receiving a formal warning.
The takeaway
Braun's Law emphasizes that the state is taking a proactive approach to prevent repeat drunk driving incidents through mandatory legal awareness. Drivers are urged to understand that subsequent impaired driving incidents carry the potential for life-altering murder charges.
Further reading
For more information on legal developments in the state, visit our Sex Crimes section.
