Agenda Item Wording:
title
Approve Resolution No. 2024-56 in support of Proposition 36: Accept a Resolution for the City Council of the City of Visalia in support of Proposition 36: The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act.
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Deadline for Action: 10/7/2024
Submitting Department: Police Department
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Chief Jason Salazar, ext. 4215, jason.salazar@visalia.city
Department Recommendation:
Accept a Resolution for the City Council of the City of Visalia in support of Proposition 36: The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act.
Background Discussion:
In 2014, Proposition 47 changed some theft and drug crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. For example, shoplifting (stealing items worth $950 or less from a store) and drug possession generally became misdemeanors. While Prop 47 achieved notable success in making California's criminal justice system more equitable, Prop 47 has also led to unintended consequences over the past decade.
Proposition 36 makes several key changes related to punishments for theft and drug crimes. First, it increases punishment for some of these crimes. Second, it creates a new treatment-focused court process for some drug possession crimes. Third, it requires courts to warn people convicted of selling or providing illegal drugs to others that they can be charged with murder if they keep doing so and someone dies.
Proposition 36 increases punishment for some theft and drug crimes in three ways:
* Turns Some Misdemeanors Into Felonies. For example, currently, theft of items worth $950 or less is generally a misdemeanor. Proposition 36 makes this crime a felony if the person has two or more past convictions for certain theft crimes (such as shoplifting, burglary, or carjacking). The sentence would be up to three years in county jail or state prison. These changes undo some of the punishment reductions in Proposition 47.
* Lengthens Some Felo...
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