Proposition 47

Proposition 47 would change how offenders are sentenced for some nonserious and nonviolent crimes. Offenders who have been previously convicted of such crimes could apply for reduced sentences. Specifically, sentencing for these crimes would change under the measure:

 

• Grand Theft: Currently, theft of certain kinds of property or an offender's criminal history can lead to charges of grand theft for theft of property valued at $950 or more.  Under Prop. 47, these crimes would now automatically be considered petty theft. 
• Shoplifting: Currently, shoplifting property worth $950 or less can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony burglary. Under the measure, all such crimes would be considered a misdemeanor. 
• Receiving Stolen Goods: When offenders are found guilty of receiving stolen property worth $950 or less, they can charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Under Prop. 47, all such crimes would be considered a misdemeanor. 
• Check Forgery and Writing Bad Checks: Currently, forging or writing a bad check is generally considered a misdemeanor unless it is for an amount of $450 or higher, or if the offender has
  
  previously committed a crime related to forgery. Under the measure, forging a bad check would always be a misdemeanor for amounts $950 or less.  
• Drug Possession: Proposition 47 would make possession of most illegal drugs a misdemeanor. Currently, some drug possession can be considered a felony depending on the amount of the drug and the type of the drug. 

Any savings accrued from the measure would go towards crime prevention and treatment. Specifically, 65 percent would go towards mental health and drug abuse treatment programs. 25 percent would be used for grants aimed at truancy reduction and dropout prevention among K-12 students. Finally, 10 percent would go to victim services grants. There could be a numerous fiscal effects to state and local governments from the passage of this measure depending on how it is implemented.