The Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act, or Proposition 47 was enacted in 2014 in the state of California. The legislation affected how several different types of crimes are sentenced within the California criminal justice system.
As a result of Prop 47, numerous theft crimes had their penalties greatly reduced. When you have been charged with a California theft crime, the Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys at the Manshoory Law Group can help you fight your charges and protect your future.
What California Theft Crimes Were Affected by Prop 47?
Prop 47 made many adjustments to the classification of specific theft actions and how these crimes are sentenced.
Some of these changes include:
- Under PC section 459.5 shoplifting was developed which replaced charges of commercial burglary. A charge of commercial burglary was a felony offense making for very serious and severe outcomes of low-level stealing. Now, if the property is unlawfully taken from a commercial establishment during normal business hours when the business is open and the property isn’t worth more than $950, a defendant will face shoplifting charges which is a misdemeanor.
- Under PC section 473, if fraudulent checks, bonds, notes, money orders, and any other type of monetary instrument is used, as long as it is not higher than $950 it will be classified as a misdemeanor.
- Under PC section 476a if you write a check that isn’t more than $950 and you don’t have the funds to cover the check it will be considered writing a bad check. This offense has been reduced to a misdemeanor.
- Under PC section 490.2, with some exceptions, general property theft where the goods that were stolen are not worth more than $950 will be considered petty theft. As such, they will be classified as misdemeanors.
- Under PC section 496, as long as the stolen property that an individual receives is not worth more than $950 the crime will be a misdemeanor.
Anyone with a felony conviction in connection with one of these theft charges that took place before Prop 47 was passed has the right and the ability to pursue a legal case for having their felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor.
This retroactive re-sentencing may mean that an individual will no longer have to serve time behind bars the way they would have if they were still serving time for their felony conviction.
Can I Have My Record Reduced Under Prop 47?
Depending on the details of your case, you may not have to spend time in jail for your theft-related crimes. If you are currently in jail, you may be able to get out and instead serve probation time which is a much lesser punishment than having to live your life captive in the prison system.
When you work with the Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys at the Manshoory Law Group you can rest assured that you will have the best criminal defense services in Los Angeles advocating on your behalf. Call The Manshoory Law Group today at 877-977-7750 to meet during a free consultation.
- Difference Between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-Degree Murders? - March 7, 2024
- How Dating Apps Can Lead to Tinder Rape Charges - January 15, 2024
- Can You Refuse a DUI Test? - December 15, 2023