It’s been a year since Proposition 47 went into effect in November 2014, and over 160,000 Californians have taken action to change their lives. Up to a million Californians may be eligible, and many don’t even know it.
It doesn’t matter how old your felony conviction is. If it was the type of crime affected by Prop 47, you may be able to get your record changed. But you only have until November 4, 2017, to file your petition. If you have questions about your criminal record, call my office now to schedule a free, in-person initial consultation.
How removing the “felony” label can help you
You can’t change the past, and if you’ve already served your time, you can’t get those years back. But you may be able to improve your future simply by removing an ugly label.
Prop 47 gives you a chance to change how your convictions are classified on your criminal record. The difference between being labeled a felon and simply having a record of misdemeanors can make a huge difference. Without the felony label, you may become eligible for certain jobs and benefits.
What is Proposition 47?
Proposition 47 is a California law that allows men and women convicted of certain
nonviolent felonies (such as some theft and drug crimes) to drop the felony label. Those convictions will still be on your record, but they will be classified as misdemeanors.
The sentencing requirements for these crimes have been adjusted, too. Now the maximum prison time is down from three years to only one year. If you are currently serving time for one of these crimes (or are on parole, probation, or on supervision), you can petition the court to reduce your sentence.
Crimes that are eligible for reclassification as misdemeanors include:
- Drug possession (including heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines, and other illegal drugs)
- Shoplifting
- Check and credit fraud
- Forgery
- Theft
- Possession of stolen goods
However, the amount of money involved in the crime cannot be more than $950. In addition, you will not be eligible if you have also been convicted of certain serious or violent felonies. To learn more, you can watch my quick series of Proposition 47 videos here or call Chambers Law Firm now to schedule a free initial consultation today.
Why does the law want to help me now?
Why is the law helping convicted felons now? Well, there’s a cynical answer—it’s about money—but it was also done to protect your civil rights.
In 2011, the US Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Plata that California prisons were so overcrowded, it was a violation of the US Constitution. It was “cruel and unusual punishment.” So California is legally required to reduce its prison population. One way to do that is by changing how some crimes are classified (felony or misdemeanor) and by making the maximum prison sentences shorter. Because Prop 47 is retroactive, it applies even to people who have already served time for those crimes.
But of course, it’s also about money. It is expensive for the state to run prisons and feed prisoners. Having fewer people in the system will bring operating costs down. The good news is that some of that money saved goes to a fund for mental health and drug treatment programs.
Questions? Ask us!
This opportunity won’t last long, so don’t put it off! Schedule a free in-person consultation with Southern California’s best Prop 47 attorney, Dan E Chambers. Call 714-760-4088, email dchambers@clfca.com, or send an online message via the Chat box at the bottom right of this page.
