California Supreme Court Modifies Opinion on Free Speech Rights

The California Supreme Court has issued an order modifying its majority opinion in Los Angeles Police Protective League v. City of Los Angeles (S275272). The modification, filed on January 21, 2026, clarifies two sentences within the opinion that discuss a consent decree between the City of Los Angeles and the federal government. This decree reportedly barred the city from requiring complainants to sign a specific type of advisory related to filing complaints against peace officers, as mandated by Penal Code section 148.6(a)(2).

This modification does not alter the judgment of the case, and the petition for rehearing has been denied. The original opinion concluded that the provisions of Penal Code section 148.6(a) violate constitutional free speech rights. While this is a judicial opinion modifying prior text, it does not impose new compliance obligations on regulated entities. However, it reinforces the legal landscape concerning the free speech implications of advisory requirements for citizen complaints against law enforcement officers in California.