ARGUMENT in Favor of
Proposition 69

"In California, the remains of a boy missing for two decades are finally identified. Two cold murders are solved in Kansas. And in Texas, a serial sexual predator is captured. The cases are cracked thanks to technology police are calling the fingerprints of the 21st century." (Associated Press, March 2004)

DNA IDENTIFIES CRIMINALS AND PROTECTS THE INNOCENT

"Hunch leads to Rape Suspect's Arrest; Detective obtains DNA Sample from a convicted burglar that links him to attacks on 11 women." (LA Times, April 2004)

"DNA tests clear man of slayings; man jailed since late 2002 on charges of killing his ex-girlfriend and her sister." (Bakersfield Californian, May 2004)

PROPOSITION 69-CALIFORNIA'S ALL-FELON DNA DATABASE

The DNA Fingerprint, Unsolved Crime and Innocence Protection Act helps solve crime, free those wrongfully accused, and stop serial killers. Written by public safety experts, 69 is nonpartisan and endorsed by every major statewide law enforcement organization; crime scene investigators, victims' advocates, district attorneys, defense lawyers, sheriffs, police chiefs, Republicans and Democrats.

PROPOSITION 69 PROTECTS SOCIETY

69 requires convicted felons and those arrested for rape and murder to give DNA (collected by mouth swab, not blood) for a statewide database. Starting in 2009, felony arrestees will also be tested, but those not convicted can have their DNA removed from the database. Taking DNA during the booking process at the same time as fingerprints is more efficient and helps police conduct accurate investigations. No wasting time chasing false leads; DNA can prove innocence or guilt. Protecting peoples' privacy, 69 prohibits any use of DNA besides identification.

34 STATES HAVE ALL-FELON DNA DATABASES

Every unsolved homicide enables criminals to kill again. Currently, California's DNA database is too small, unable to deal with thousands of unsolved rapes, murders, and child abductions. Initiative sponsor Bruce Harrington's brother and sister-in-law were murdered by one of America's most brutal serial criminals; in Northern California known as the East Area Rapist, in Southern California the Original Nightstalker. Detectives have the killer's DNA, but the database lacks a matching profile. They believe the Harrington murders could have been prevented if DNA technology and a complete database were available back then.

Virginia has a comprehensive DNA database including arrestees. Virginia's population is less than Los Angeles County, but solves more crimes with DNA than California. In 2002, California solved 148 cases; Virginia 445.

DEFENSE LAWYERS THROUGHOUT AMERICA USE DNA TO PROTECT INNOCENT PEOPLE

DNA evidence is one of the most effective ways to prove someone was not involved with a crime. 69's complete DNA database helps ensure people are not wrongfully accused.

RESPECTING TAXPAYERS

Proposition 69 is funded through a small increase in criminal penalties, not a tax increase or deficit spending. Money is distributed to state and local public safety agencies to maintain the database and solve cases.

PROPOSITION 69-PUBLIC SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

69 can prevent thousands of crimes by taking dangerous criminals off the streets. Using precise DNA technology, innocent people can be quickly exonerated. For a safer California, VOTE YES ON 69.

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of California

BILL LOCKYER, California State Attorney General

STEVE COOLEY, Los Angeles County District Attorney

ARGUMENT Against
Proposition 69

Everyone recognizes the importance of expanding tools to find criminals, but Proposition 69 goes too far. Proposition 69 risks your privacy. Your DNA reveals the most intimate and sensitive information about you and your family. Proposition 69 may put your DNA in a common government database alongside convicted killers and rapists.

How could this happen? Because Proposition 69 would force many Californians who have never committed a crime to be included in a criminal database.

INNOCENT PEOPLE ARE TREATED JUST LIKE CRIMINALS.

Every year in California, there are 50,000 arrests that never result in people being charged with a crime. Arrests might range from traffic stops to mistaken identity. Under Proposition 69, these people must provide a DNA sample. Everyone that is arrested for any felony whatsoever -even trespassing, shoplifting, or writing a bad check-is subject to DNA testing, sampling, and filing in criminal databases.

California already requires the collection, testing, and storage of DNA from serious and violent felons, including kidnappers, rapists, murderers, and child molesters. Proposition 69 is a dangerous departure from current law because it would put innocent citizens in the same database as convicted criminals.

Initiative Risks Your Privacy.

Proposition 69 is contrary to California's tradition of legal protection of medical, financial, and personal privacy rights. Why? DNA is FAR MORE THAN A FINGERPRINT. Your DNA tells anyone who has this information whether you and your family are predisposed to contract diseases such as heart disease, obesity, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, or cancer.

The "safeguards" in the initiative are inadequate to protect your privacy. Once you are in the database, government has no obligation to remove your profile. Restrictions and enforcement necessary to protect you are not clearly spelled out in the initiative. Moreover, government databases grow and merge. There's no guarantee that these DNA databases will not be expanded in the future. The initiative allows DNA testing and sorting to be conducted by private laboratories. Do you feel confident that private, for-profit laboratories will protect your privacy rights?

PROPOSITION 69 WILL COST MILLIONS.

Proponents of Proposition 69 have hidden the real costs of this initiative. Proposition 69 has tens of millions of dollars of start-up costs and ongoing costs that may not be adequately funded by the initiative. To make up any shortfall, Proposition 69 could TAKE MONEY FROM OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY, EDUCATION, and government programs. Proposition 69 will cost millions of dollars for a DNA data bank that puts sensitive genetic information about innocent people alongside criminals.

This initiative allows for collection of Californians' most personal and revealing information, but it lacks government accountability if your DNA is mishandled or misused. Once your DNA is seized by the government, it will be filed alongside criminals. Proposition 69 violates the privacy rights of innocent Californians without necessary safeguards, privacy protection, and accountability to make sure government does its job right.

Vote NO on Proposition 69. This initiative goes too far and costs all of us too much.

BETH GIVENS, Executive Director
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

BOB BARR, Chair
Privacy & Freedom Center, American Conservative Union

PAUL BILLINGS, Chair
Council for Responsible Genetics