On Friday, July 7, 2017, KCAL 96.7 FM radio sponsored a community event which our very own Public Defender attorneys, Alan Messarra & Jeff Rosanswank, participated in.  Representing the Law Offices of the Public Defender San Bernardino County, they were giving information on Proposition 47.  Thank you Mr. Messarra & Mr. Rosanswank—especially since our Southern California heat temperature reached 107 degrees that day! 

Proposition 47 reduced the classification of most “nonserious and nonviolent property and drug crimes” from a felony to a misdemeanor.

What did the measure do?

The initiative:
Classified “non-serious, nonviolent crimes” as misdemeanors instead of felonies unless the defendant has prior convictions for murder, rape, certain sex offenses or certain gun crimes.

Which crimes were affected?

The measure required misdemeanor sentencing instead of felony for the following crimes:

  • Shoplifting, where the value of property stolen does not exceed $950
  • Grand theft, where the value of the stolen property does not exceed $950
  • Receiving stolen property, where the value of the property does not exceed $950
  • Forgery, where the value of forged check, bond or bill does not exceed $950
  • Fraud, where the value of the fraudulent check, draft or order does not exceed $950
  • Writing a bad check, where the value of the check does not exceed $950
  • Personal use of most illegal drugs

In January 2015, it was announced that as many as one million Californians could be eligible to change past felony convictions on their records under Proposition 47.

Photo courtesy of George Alfano, Public Defender Administration.