California’s Proposition 47 weakens state laws against stealing guns and possession of date rape drugs

11/7/2014

Here is a great example of voters approving something at the ballot box without knowing the true consequences of what will happen when a proposition such as this passes.

On Tuesday, California voters approved Proposition 47, which will weaken state laws against stealing guns and possession of date rape drugs.

“In most instances, many crimes that were previously ‘arrestable’ as a felony will now only be ‘citable’ as a misdemeanor.

“That means they may not be booked into jail but rather given a citation (similar to a traffic ticket) with a court date to appear, and released in the field,” the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department said about the passage of Prop 47.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department posted the following information on its Facebook page:

PRESS RELEASE: THE PASSAGE OF PROPOSITION 47

Effective immediately, the passage of Proposition 47 will have the following effects on the custody and policing practices of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department:

1. In most instances, many crimes that were previously “arrestable” as a felony will now only be “citable” as a misdemeanor. That means they may not be booked into jail but rather given a citation (similar to a traffic ticket) with a court date to appear, and released in the field. They will not be held pending trial. Such felony crimes that are now misdemeanors include:
• Commercial burglary (theft under $950)
• Forgery and bad checks (under $950 value)
• Theft of most firearms
• Theft of a vehicle (under $950 value)
• Possession of stolen property (under $950 value)
• Possession of heroin, cocaine, illegal prescriptions, concentrated cannabis, and methamphetamine

2. Inmates awaiting trial on any of the above felony charges in most instances will be able to have their charges immediately reduced to the new misdemeanor level, and will be let out of jail on a citation. A determination as to each person’s eligibility is somewhat time consuming, but could result in up to 420 releases.

3. Inmates who are sentenced on the above felonies can petition the court for reduction of their felony convictions to misdemeanors and many of them would be also be eligible for immediate release.

4. Convicted felons with the above felonies in their history can petition the court to have their prior felony convictions reduced to misdemeanors. If successful, many of the prohibitions they faced would then be reinstated, such as the right to vote, the right to purchase a handgun, the ability to apply as a peace officer, etc.

Yes folks, it just became a whole lot easier for criminals in California to commit date rape and gun crimes.

The L.A. Times noted that Prop 47 will reduce penalties for possession of date rape drugs. Possessing date rape drugs is now a misdemeanor instead of a felony.

Opponents point out, though, that in reducing simple possession of most controlled substances from felonies or wobblers to misdemeanors, Proposition 47 covers roofies.

Currently, a person caught with Rohypnol in his pocket can be prosecuted for a felony and end up in state prison for three years. If the initiative passes, he would be liable only for a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

But, as a practical matter, he may do no jail time at all. It would be merely a “slap on the wrist,” according to the ballot pamphlet rebuttal arguments signed by, among others, Sandra Henriquez, executive director of California Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

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