California voters approved a range of ballot initiatives on Nov. 8, including Proposition 57. The measure, which passed by a margin of 63.7% to 36.3% statewide, allows parole consideration for “nonviolent” felons and sentence credits for rehabilitation, good behavior and education. Advanced by Gov. Jerry Brown as a means of addressing the state’s crowded prisons, the measure’s passage allows an estimated 25,000 “nonviolent” inmates to seek early releases.
Many Sex Crimes Now Reclassified as Nonviolent
Additionally, Prop 57 reclassifies certain crimes ordinarily considered violent as “nonviolent” in the eyes of state law. Many of these crimes are sexual in nature.
Sex offenses considered nonviolent following Prop 57 include:
- Rape of an unconscious person
- Failing to register as a sex offender
- Lewd acts against a child
- Rape by intoxication
- Human trafficking involving sex act with minors
In addition to the above sex crimes, many more crimes such as domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon are now considered nonviolent under state law. As a result of this reclassification, roughly 7,000 inmates are immediately eligible for parole consideration. At the beginning of 2016, an estimated 25,000 inmates were eligible for early release (some not immediate) under Prop 57.
Charged with a Sex Crime? Call Blumenthal & Moore
While this ballot measure may offer early release for thousands of sex crime convicts, individuals charged with sex crimes can still face considerable adversity and must consult with a knowledgeable attorney to protect their rights. If you have been charged with any type of sex-related offense, call Blumenthal & Moore today. With more than a century’s worth of combined legal experience, the firm’s Riverside criminal defense lawyers can provide the aggressive and trial-tested advocacy you need to maximize your chances of securing a favorable outcome.
Call (951) 682-5110 or contact us online today to get started.