"Prop. 36 gave prosecutors the ability to charge people convicted of various third-time drug offenses with a so-called treatment-mandated felony, which would give them a choice between behavioral health treatment or up to three years in jail or prison. If they accept, they would enter a guilty or no contest plea and begin treatment. Those who complete treatment have their charges dismissed."
"In the first six months since the law took effect, roughly 9,000 people have been charged with a treatment-mandated felony, according to the first-of-its-kind report released this month by the state's Judicial Council. Nearly 15% or 1,290 people elected treatment. So far, of the 771 people placed into treatment, 25 completed it. The data reflects how different counties are using the law, with the highest number of treatment-mandated felonies charged in Orange County at 2,395. Kings and Napa counties each had one such charge."
Proposition 36 allows prosecutors to charge certain third-time drug offenses as treatment-mandated felonies, giving defendants a choice of behavioral health treatment or up to three years in jail or prison. Defendants who accept enter guilty or no-contest pleas and begin treatment; charges are dismissed upon completion. In the first six months after implementation, roughly 9,000 people faced treatment-mandated felonies and about 1,290 chose treatment. Of 771 placed into treatment, 25 completed it. County use of the law varies widely, with major disparities in charges, placements, reporting, and delays as jurisdictions implement the program.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]