Summary
- Revises three strikes law to impose life sentence only when new felony conviction is serious or violent.
- Authorizes re-sentencing for offenders currently serving life sentences if third strike conviction was not serious or violent and judge determines sentence does not pose unreasonable risk to public safety.
- Continues to impose life sentence penalty if third strike conviction was for certain non-serious, non-violent sex or drug offenses or involved firearm possession.
- Maintains life sentence penalty for felons with non-serious, non-violent third strike if prior convictions were for rape, murder, or child molestation.
Summary of Legislative Analysts Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
- State savings related to prison and parole operations of $70 million annually on an ongoing basis,
with even higher savingsup to $90 million annuallyover the next couple of decades. These
estimates could be higher or lower by tens of millions of dollars depending on future state actions.
- One-time state and county costs of a few million dollars over the next couple of years for court
activities related to the resentencing of certain offenders.
Measure Text
Revises law to impose life sentence only when new felony conviction is serious or violent. May authorize re-sentencing if third strike conviction was not serious or violent. Fiscal Impact: Ongoing state correctional savings of around $70 million annually, with even greater savings (up to $90 million) over the next couple of decades. These savings could vary significantly depending on future state actions.
