The California state legislature’s Assembly Bill 2799 – also known as the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act, preventing the use of rap lyrics in criminal prosecutions – was signed into law on Friday September 30 by California governor Gavin Newsom. The bill, first approved in August aims to restrict the use of song lyrics as evidence, banning them from being referenced in court unless the prosecution can prove a direct relevance between a song’s lyrics and a particular case, and that the process will not “inject racial bias into the proceedings”. The legislation will help courts hold prosecutors accountable and prevent the criminalization of artistic expression.

In recent years, lyrics in rap music have been used as evidence against artists in court. However, music with criminally suggestive lyrics have existed in all genres long before. Thanks to listener Brett for his suggestion for today’s theme. For today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs that could be used as evidence do you want to hear?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played:
Johnny Cash – One Piece At A Time
The Decemberists – The Rake’s Song
The Suicide Commandos – Burn It Down
The Buoys – Timothy
Jane’s Addiction – Been Caught Stealing