California voters will vote on a measure to reclassify some crimes, such as specific cases of drug possession and theft, from misdemeanors to felonies.
Proposition 36 would reinstate harsher penalties such as felony charges, longer sentences and possibly charging drug dealers with murder if people die after using, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office.
According to the LAO, Proposition 36 would count crimes such as carjacking, shoplifting and burglary as a felony if the offender has two prior theft convictions.
“Being charged with a felony for theft is understandable because there’s no way you can accidentally steal something of substantial value,” said 19-year-old English major Derrol Westbrook. “Especially if you’re on your third strike, you know what you’re doing.”
Proposition 36 would also reverse some of the effects of Proposition 47, which was passed in 2014 and made it so that stealing anything less than the value of $950 and some drug crimes such as possession of drugs would only count as misdemeanors.
For drug possession, people would be charged with a treatment-mandated felony and would have to undergo mental health and/or drug treatment after their third offense, according to the LAO.
Those who finish treatment would have their charges dismissed, while those who don’t, can serve up to three years in state prison, according to the LAO.
After being charged with a felony for theft, offenders would be sentenced up to three years in county jail or state prison, according to the LAO.
“If you’ve already stolen for the first two times, I don’t think that’s enough of a punishment to make them stop doing it the third time,” said Keylan Hanley, an 18-year-old human relations major.
According to the LAO, with misdemeanors being changed into felonies, criminal justice workers will see an increase in work.
“I’m for it because who wants to be in jail for three years for stealing? No one,” said 19-year-old mechanical engineer major Sergio Torres.
Other students interviewed had differing opinions.
“I feel like the proposition sounds very strict. Three years in prison is a bit much,” said Lynne Syriphone, an 18-year-old health science major.
Proposition 36 would also affect probation and behavioral health departments, increasing their workload as well, according to the LAO.
“I’m for the proposition because it doesn’t affect me directly or anyone that I know,” Westbrooke said. “It also helps scare people away from committing these crimes and would keep our community safe.”
According to the California Secretary of State website, Crime Victims United of California, the California District Attorneys Association and the Family Business Association of California are supporters of Proposition 36.
The opponents of Proposition 36 are Diana Becton, the District Attorney of Contra Costa County, and Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, according to the CSS.
“I don’t think the proposition is worth it because it depends on why people do the things they have done,” Syriphone said. “Some people have to steal to feed their families. If they could find a way to help those people without punishing them, maybe I’ll reconsider.”