Election Day Not All Bad: California Voters reduce many felonies to misdemeanors

In a bright spot from a forboding election day (at least for progressives), California Voters, with their sunny dispositions,passed Proposition 47 which, fully retroactive, will reduce through affirmative petition many qualifying non-violent first offense state felonies to misdemeanors, including possessory drug offenses. See League of Women Voters description.

This representsa hallmark in a movement to ameliorate the collateralprofessional and immigration consequences of past conduct, and hopefully it,signals national trend, as California policy often does.For those of us handling for clients with California Felony priors being used for sentencing enhancement, immigration or other purposes, this represents a glimmer of hope.

Recommended Articles

sealed letter
Sealing Criminal Records in Arizona Under The New Law

Arizona’s new sealing statute is a powerful way for people who have been charged or convicted of many common offenses, to be able to say “no” in many instances.

angry men arguing
Aggravated Assault in Arizona: Five Things You Should Know

In Arizona, “Aggravated Assault” charged under ARS § 13-1204 is a Class Four Felony, and in some cases with mandatory prison.

angry-police
Police Misconduct & How it May Affect Your Criminal Case in Arizona 

DUI or domestic violence police misconduct even if not resulting in grievous misfortune can sometimes provide a helpful remedy for the criminally accused.

professionals-worried
Collateral Consequences of Misdemeanors For Professionals & Parents in Arizona: Fingerprint Clearance Cards

people are surprised by how outsized the consequences some misdemeanor convictions can be. collateral consequences—meaning all those hidden consequences.

guy-holding-gun-to-womans-head
Federal Court Strikes Law Prohibiting Guns For Some Accused of Domestic Violence

For thirty years two federal laws prohibited all those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence offenses from ever possessing firearms.

Michael Harwin

About Michael Harwin

Michael’s skill and experience have been recognized repeatedly. He holds an A-V 5/5 preeminent rating by Martindale Hubbell. He has been named one of the top lawyers in Arizona by Southwest Superlawyers, and one of the best lawyers in Tucson by Tucson Lifestyle Magazine. He also has been named one of the best lawyers in the United States by BestofUS.com , and given the highest rating possible by AVVO, 10/10 Superb. Amazon Books