As the legislative session begins in Sacramento, bills are flying through the Assembly and Senate in an attempt to meet upcoming deadlines.  There are many bills that CVAA is monitoring.  We will update you shortly on what those bills are and where they are in the process.  But we wanted to inform you about a few pieces of legislation of importance that we need your help on now.

SB 9 (YEE) - Urgent Action Needed!!!
First and foremost, SB 9 would eliminate life without the possibility of parole for minors convicted of premeditated first degree murder, it is back on the Assembly Floor for its final vote.  As you know, CVAA has strongly opposed this bill and previous legislative attempts to release convicted murderers.  Proponents of this bill say that too many youths are being incarcerated unfairly for life.  That our youth deserve a second chance at life.  Unfortunately for the innocent victims that have been killed by these convicted murderers- a second chance at "life" is not an option.  The law already allows for appeals and habeas briefs to be filed on behalf of the convicted juvenile murderers.  In addition, the Governor has the power to commute sentences in cases he feels a grave injustice has been dealt.  SB 9 is simply a way for those who believe that convicted juvenile 1^st degree murderers should not be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.  SB 9 allows convicted juvenile murderers sentenced to life without the possibility of parole to ask for a reduction in their sentence and creates a type of parole hearing process for this population.

We again ask for your help in defeating this legislation.  We have set up a letter on change.org that you can simply add your name to and send off to leadership in the Assembly.  In addition, we urge you to write or call YOUR Assemblymember and urge them to vote NO on SB 9. 

Click HERE to find your Assemblymember.   Click HERE to send a letter now.

AB 327 (Davis)
This bill is geared to weaken the existing Three Strikes law by requiring the third felony to be serious or violent.  This bill amends the "Three Strikes" Law, subject to voter approval, to require that the current conviction be a "serious" or "violent" felony in order to subject a defendant to an enhanced sentence under the 25-years-to-life (third strike) provisions, unless the prosecution pleads and proves that the defendant committed a current disqualifying offense or was previously convicted of a disqualifying crime, as specified;

• The current offense is a controlled substance charge, in which an allegation under Section 11370.4 or 11379.8 of the Health and Safety Code was admitted or found true.
• The current offense is a felony sex offense, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 261.5 or Section 262, except for Sections 266 and 285, paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) and subdivision (e) of Section 286, and paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) and subdivision (e) of Section 288a.
• During the commission of the current offense, the defendant used a firearm, was armed with a firearm or deadly weapon, or intended to cause great bodily injury to another person.
• The defendant suffered a prior conviction for any of the following serious or violent felonies: A sexually violent offense, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 6600 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. Oral copulation, as defined in Section 288a, with a child who is under 14 years of age, and who is more than 10 years younger than the defendant; sodomy, as defined in Section 286, with a child who is under 14 years of age, and who is more than 10 years younger than the defendant; or sexual penetration, as defined in Section 289, with a child who is under 14 years of age, and who is more than 10 years younger than the defendant. A lewd or lascivious act involving a child under 14 years of age in violation of Section 288.
• An offense described in Sections 187 to 191.5, inclusive.
• Any serious or violent felony offense punishable by life imprisonment or death.

CVAA worked tirelessly to help pass Three Strikes and has worked just as diligently to keep the current law in place.  AB 327 was introduced in the beginning of January of this year and sped through the Assembly.  It is now in the Senate and has yet to be heard in committee.  Though this bill does require that the people of the state of California vote on it before it can be enacted, Three Strikes is a law that is working - keeping career criminals off the streets.  There is no reason to "fix" a law that isn't broken.  We will keep you updated on its progress and how you can help us defeat this legislation.

AB 1270 (Amiano)
This bill is a redo of a bill that Senator Romero worked hard to pass a few years ago.  CVAA was successful in stopping that piece of legislation from being signed by the Governor, but it is back with a vengeance.  AB 1270 allows pre-arranged face to face camera interviews with inmates like Richard Ramirez, Scott Peterson and Charlie Manson.  Proponents of AB 1270 say that it has a provision in it to notify victims, however, the notification is not mandatory AND it is simply a warning to be prepared for a media frenzy around the inmate who caused them such harm.  AB 1270 is simply a way to exploit and celebrates high profile killers.  This bill is currently in the Senate but has not been assigned to be heard in committees yet.  We will keep you posted as CVAA will need your help in stopping this legislation.

These are just a couple of the bills that we are working on this year.  We will update you with a more detailed list of legislation shortly.  Thank you for your support!

 

 

To search for bills on the California Legislative Website click HERE