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Podcasts Take Two
Prop 47: What are the implications of lighter sentences for certain crimes?
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Nov 5, 2014
Listen • 5:43
Prop 47: What are the implications of lighter sentences for certain crimes?
Supporters argue Prop 47 will go far toward fixing a broken judicial system. Critics are concerned about what this will mean for public safety.
Charsleen Poe is a reentry legal clinic intake coordinator for A New Way of Life Reentry Project in LA. If Proposition 47 passes this November, Poe could petition to have her drug felonies reduced to misdemeanors.
Charsleen Poe is a reentry legal clinic intake coordinator for A New Way of Life Reentry Project in LA. If Proposition 47 passes this November, Poe could petition to have her drug felonies reduced to misdemeanors.
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MayaSugarman/KPCC
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Supporters argue Prop 47 will go far toward fixing a broken judicial system. Critics are concerned about what this will mean for public safety.

Proposition 47 will reduce the penalties of some crimes from a felony to a misdemeanor. The California ballot measure passed Tuesday night with a wide margin.

Supporters argue Prop 47 will go far toward fixing a broken judicial system. Critics are concerned about what this will mean for public safety and how well prosecutors and judges can determine who qualifies under the measure.

"Yes, the 'superstrike' guys, the people who they can say this guy is going to commit a murder if we let him out, they're not getting out," said Sean Hoffman, the director of legislation with the California District Attorneys Association, a group that came out against the measure. "But there are a number of very violent individuals that we believe will get out as a result of this."

For more, Take Two is joined by Keramet Reiter, professor at UC Irvine's Department of Criminology, Law and Society and also with UCI's School of Law.