Posted on 02/25/2003 11:30:05 AM PST by Schatze
SACRAMENTO – Joined by Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully, Assemblymembers Todd Spitzer (R-Orange), Jay La Suer (R-La Mesa), Ken Maddox (R-Garden Grove) and John Benoit (R-Palm Desert) said today that the unintended consequences of a Democrat-sponsored budget bill will lead to the early release of criminals convicted of serious offenses.
The GOP legislators, who between them have more than 90 years of service in law enforcement, discussed the potential effects of AB 12x at a press conference outside the State Capitol. AB 12x passed on a Democrat-led party-line vote January 28th by a vote of 43-33 and is currently in the State Senate for consideration.
AB 12x would allow for the early release of criminals convicted of serious offences such as assault with a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted arson, attempted carjacking, elder abuse, child abuse, and assault with a machine gun, among others. Democrats who supported the bill assured the public this would not occur. In reality, just the opposite is true.
“By passing this bill, the Democrats have shown what shoddy work can produce: a significant threat to public safety. We’re not here to accuse them of intentionally doing this, but we are here to highlight the risks of rushing to pass weak bills, and taking a piecemeal approach to public policy. It’s time to pass bills that protect public safety, not bills that compromise it,” Spitzer said.
La Suer added, “To release criminals that have already been convicted of serious and dangerous crimes on the pretense of saving money, when in fact it places our communities in harm’s way and in the long run will cost the public much more money, is outrageous. It is entirely possible that the people that voted for this did not truly understand the extreme serious consequences of their actions. Another case of irresponsible government.”
“Balancing the budget on the backs of crime victims ought to outrage everyone,” Assemblyman Maddox added.
Assemblymember Benoit said, “As a veteran of 31 years in law enforcement, I understand what the term ‘convicted felon’ means. Felons that have been convicted of hard crimes should serve their time in prison. The Democrats’ answer to the budget crisis is to put some of our most heinous criminals back into our communities.”
Under current law, prisoners who participate in K-12 education programs may earn credits of 50 percent off their sentences. AB 12x would extend these credits to prisoners regardless of whether or not they are participating in an educational or work related program.
The bill would remove the requirement in current law that credits are earned through actual work. Specifically, the bill would allow felons who are earning up to one-third off their sentence to earn up to 50 percent off their sentence – significantly shortening prison terms for serious offenses.
The four Assemblymembers are all veteran law enforcement officers with a combined 92 years of experience in communities around the state. Spitzer served 17 years as an LAPD reserve officer and Orange County Deputy District Attorney; Maddox with the LAPD, Tustin Police Department, and Orange County Sheriff’s Department; La Suer served with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department and San Diego Police Department for 31 years; Benoit served with the Corona Police Department, LAPD and California Highway Patrol for 31 years.
Update: It's now on the governor's desk for signature.
This is the kind of legislation you get when you have one-party rule. No wonder people are leaving this state in droves.
Attempted to use weapons of mass destruction
Assault with a firearm
Assault with a deadly weapon
Cruel or inhumane abuse of a child
Assault likely to produce great bodily injury
Extortion
Attempted kidnapping
Victim/Witness intimidation
Attempted arson
Personal use of a deadly or dangerous weapon
Use of a hostage as a shield
Assault with acid or flammaable substances
Hate crimes
Criminal threats to kill or inflict great bodily injury
Felony stalking
Assault with a machinegun
Attempted carjacking
Burglary of an inhabited dwelling in which the prosecution does not prove that a person, other than an accomplice, was present in the home.
Elder abuse
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