LWOP MAY BECOME MEANINGLESS IN CA

By Bob Walsh

 

I remember many of the arguments.  LWOP (Life without parole) was a "viable" alternate to capital punishment.  Actually executing somebody cost "too much money."  If the jury screwed up (which did happen) there was a method of correcting and offering redress.  

Trouble is, LWOP isn't actually LWOP, at least in CA, and it may be getting ready to get even more so not actually.

SB94, being pimped by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) would, if approved and passed into law, throw LWOP into the shitter in the formerly great state of California.

The law would NOT cover persons convicted of the first degree murder of a peace officer.  The new law WOULD require that the courts consider WITH GREATER WEIGHT mitigating circumstances when considering alteration of an existing sentence.  It could also vacate a conviction and impose a lesser included offense and the sentence that goes with that lesser offense.  

The bill had been inactive for almost a year.  It is again rearing it's ugly head.  Local DAs and victim's rights groups do not like it even a little bit.

The bill has passed the senate.  It will now move to the assembly where it's passage is far from certain.  As is reasonable and appropriate.