Proposition 47 has resulted in major savings for the state of California
In 2014, California voters approved an initiative known as Proposition 47, or Prop 47. When it went into effect in 2015, it led to significant changes in state law. Under Prop 47, many nonviolent offenses have been recategorized as misdemeanors rather than felonies. As a result, fewer people are being sent to prison for relatively minor crimes, such as simple drug possession and petty theft.
Five years after Prop 47 went into effect, the California Department of Finance has released data on how the bill has impacted the state’s budget. According to the state, between 2015 and 2019, it saved a whopping $228 million in prison costs. For the coming year, the state has projected that it will save $122.5 million by keeping 4,569 people out of state prisons.
With fewer inmates, the state has been able to end its contrast with private, out-of-state prisons. In addition, the prison population — which was at a crisis level in California just 10 years ago — has been significantly reduced.
Of course, as a defense attorney in San Bernardino, CA can explain, the benefits of Prop 47 aren’t limited to fiscal savings. The goal of Prop 47 was broader than simply reducing the number of people in California prisons or saving state money. It also called for investing more in victim services, schools, and treatment programs. These services and programs work to keep people from committing crime in the first place. And as the state continues to save money on prisons, it can reinvest in public school programs for at-risk kids, recovery services for victims, and grants for mental health and substance abuse diversion programs.
More importantly, Prop 47 has given many Californians a second chance. Under the law, people who were previously convicted of a felony that is now classified as a misdemeanor can petition the courts to have their sentences reduced to misdemeanors. According to a defense attorney in San Bernardino, CA, this allows many people to leave prison or jail ahead or schedule and others to clear their records of a conviction that may have prevented them from getting jobs or otherwise participating in society.
While some groups are pushing for a reform to Proposition 47, others continue to advocate for the law. If you or someone that you love have been involved in the criminal justice system, you likely understand the importance of Prop 47. It has significantly changed the landscape when it comes to criminal justice in California — and has both practical and financial benefits for individuals and the state as a whole.
If you have been charged with a crime, the Chambers Law Firm can help. Our team of legal professionals is dedicated to advocating on behalf of our clients, helping them achieve the best possible outcome for their case. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation, contact our firm today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com.
