Prop 47 already beginning to show an impact on the criminal justice system.
Prop 47 already beginning to show an impact on the criminal justice system.On November 4, California voters passed an important new law that reduces the penalties for many minor drug and theft crimes. This law, known as Prop 47, was expected to help improve the ability of our criminal justice system to reform and rehabilitate small-time non-violent offenders rather than simply penalize them. Though it will take many years to analyze and evaluate the full impact of the legal changes introduced by Prop 47, we area already seeing some concrete and immediate benefits in our county jails.
County Jail Populations Declining
A recent survey of the 10 counties that account for 70 percent of the state’s total county jail population shows that one aspect of Prop 47 is definitely working as planned. More low-level, non-violent offenders are kept out of jail, resulting in a decline in the jail population and an ease in the overcrowding in these facilities.
Here is the breakdown of statistics on the change in population in the top 8 most populous county jails between November 2014 and January 2015:
- Los Angeles County: down 7.07 percent
- Orange County: down 21.87 percent
- San Bernardino County: down 9.56 percent
- San Diego County: down 15.30 percent
- Alameda County: down 8.32 percent
- Riverside County: up 0.21 percent
- Fresno County: down 9.92 percent
- Kern County: down 6.46 percent
Fewer Early Releases for More Serious Crimes
Previously, the overcrowding in many county jails resulted in pressure to release inmates early. Now, with fewer new low-level drug and theft offenders coming in there is therefore less of a need to kick other inmates out in order to make space. A spokesperson for the Sheriff’s office in San Bernardino County has confirmed that following the passing of Prop 47, their jail is now able to hold onto inmates convicted of more serious crimes longer, without having to consider early release due to overcrowding.
Backlog of Petitions for Early Release Under Prop 47
Another important aspect of Prop 47 is that it provides individuals already convicted of certain covered drug and theft crimes to petition to reduce their conviction from a felony to a misdemeanor and get out of jail early. According to the District Attorney’s Office in Riverside County, Prop 47 resentencing petitions are already pouring in. While they had hoped to be able to respond to petitions within 15 days, the high volume has made them set a new goal of 30 days.
With a 30 day wait for the review of Prop 47 petitions, naturally it is very important to have your petition prepared properly with a convincing argument for sentence reduction so that it may have the best chance of approval on the first submission. Hiring a skilled Prop 47 lawyer like Dan E. Chambers is a sure-fire way to accomplish this. Please contact Chambers Law Firm today to learn more.
