Proposed initiative would repeal Three Strikes sentencing law
California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber announced the proponents of a new initiative that would repeal the Three Strikes law were cleared to begin collecting petition signatures today, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021.
Here’s the text of the proposed initiative
Eliminates third-strike sentencing enhancement that currently imposes life imprisonment with possibility of parole for serious felony offenders with two or more prior serious or violent felony convictions. Eliminates second-strike sentencing enhancement that currently doubles sentence term for felony offenders with one prior serious or violent felony conviction. Requires resentencing of inmates who would have received lesser sentences under this measure. Maintains other sentencing enhancements for repeat offenders. Applies savings from sentencing changes to public school youth-mentoring programs, tuition assistance at California Community Colleges and California State University and restorative justice and transitional housing programs.
Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments
Net state criminal justice system savings that could range from the low hundreds of millions of dollars to more than $1 billion annually, which would be spent on education, restorative justice and transitional housing. Temporary increase in county criminal justice system costs that could be in the tens of millions of dollars annually.
The Secretary of State’s tracking number for this measure is 1929 and the Attorney General’s tracking number is 21-0035A1.
The proponents of the measure, Earlonne Woods and John Yahya Johnson, must collect signatures of 623,212 registered voters (five percent of the total votes cast for governor in the November 2018 general election) in order for the measure to become eligible for the ballot. The proponents have 180 days to circulate petitions for the measure, meaning the signatures must be submitted to county elections officials no later than June 27, 2022. The address for the proponents is c/o George M. Yin, Kaufman Legal Group, APC, 777 South Figueroa Street, Suite 4050, Los Angeles, CA 90017. The proponents can be reached at (213) 452-6565 or gyin@kaufmanlegalgroup.com.
