On November 4, 2014, California voters passed Proposition 47. The law changes the classification of certain nonviolent crimes such as drug possession and minor thefts from a felony to a misdemeanor. 

Some individuals who were incarcerated because of convictions in crimes changed under Proposition 47 have been released from jail. Proposition 47 was designed to ease overcrowding in California prisons and reduce the financial burdens of incarceration.

The goal is to use the savings to increase funding for mental health and drug treatment programs, dropout prevention, and other rehabilitative services to keep people out of jail.

Law enforcement officials criticize Proposition 47 for leading to a recent increase in property crime by keeping more potential offenders on the street to commit such crimes.

Criminal justice experts, however, say it’s too early to attribute increased property crimes to Proposition 47. They say whether the law achieves its intended purpose depends on whether money is actually saved and reallocated to rehabilitative programs.

Contact the Law Office of Ronald Brower to learn how changes in the law under Proposition 47 may have impacted your case. Attorney Brower may help you determine what relief you may be eligible for under the new law.