Yes on Proposition 20
Vote Yes on Proposition 20: Fixes four specific flaws contained in recent criminal justice reforms
Proposition 20, the Keep California Safe Initiative, restricts parole for non-violent offenders and authorizes felony sentences for certain offenses currently treated only as misdemeanors.
This initiative statute imposes restrictions on the parole program for non-violent offenders who have completed the full term for their primary offense. It also expands the list of offenses that disqualify an inmate from this parole program.
It authorizes felony charges for specified theft crimes currently chargeable only as misdemeanors, including some thefts where the value is between $250 and $950.
Proposition 20 discourages organized retail thefts by increasing penalties and saves retailers thousands of dollars in lost merchandise and loss prevention programs. The initiative:
- Includes a felony for “serial theft.” A person caught stealing merchandise valued at more than $250 three separate times would face felony charges.
- Expands the list of violent crimes for which early release isn’t an option.
- Requires the Board of Parole Hearings to consider an inmate’s entire criminal history when deciding parole, not just his/her most recently committed offense.
