California General Election

 

Official Voter Information Guide

 

PROP
36

THREE STRIKES LAW.
REPEAT FELONY OFFENDERS. PENALTIES.
INITIATIVE STATUTE.

 
 

OFFICIAL TITLE AND SUMMARY

PREPARED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

 

THREE STRIKES LAW. REPEAT FELONY OFFENDERS. PENALTIES. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

  • 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 nonserious, non-violent sex or drug offenses or involved firearm possession.
  • Maintains life sentence penalty for felons with nonserious, non-violent third strike if prior convictions were for rape, murder, or child molestation.

Summary of Legislative Analyst’s 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 savings—up to $90 million annually—over 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.

© California Secretary of State