I wanna see/hear what other people are thinking about this proposition.
One thing I am confused about is how people are saying it is a "get out of jail-free card" for criminals.
from LA Times
But here's the catch: Crooks committing such crimes would only get the Proposition 5 break if they claim a substance-abuse problem. This means that every person who steals cars, identities and more would have a powerful incentive to become a substance abuser -- if he isn't already. If he were to get caught doing these crimes while he is clean and sober, he may go to prison or jail. But if were to simply carry a little meth or cocaine in his pocket while perpetrating his crimes, he would then "appear" to have a substance-abuse problem and couldn't be incarcerated. That's why some criminal defense attorneys have candidly told me that if Proposition 5 passes, they will advise their clients about the benefit of being a drug abuser just in case they get caught breaking the law in the future.
If they are caught stealing a car with a drug, wouldn't they get charged with separate sentences for the theft and possession? They would get the normal punishment for the theft and then get the reduced punishment for the drug charge correct?
One thing I am confused about is how people are saying it is a "get out of jail-free card" for criminals.
from LA Times
But here's the catch: Crooks committing such crimes would only get the Proposition 5 break if they claim a substance-abuse problem. This means that every person who steals cars, identities and more would have a powerful incentive to become a substance abuser -- if he isn't already. If he were to get caught doing these crimes while he is clean and sober, he may go to prison or jail. But if were to simply carry a little meth or cocaine in his pocket while perpetrating his crimes, he would then "appear" to have a substance-abuse problem and couldn't be incarcerated. That's why some criminal defense attorneys have candidly told me that if Proposition 5 passes, they will advise their clients about the benefit of being a drug abuser just in case they get caught breaking the law in the future.
If they are caught stealing a car with a drug, wouldn't they get charged with separate sentences for the theft and possession? They would get the normal punishment for the theft and then get the reduced punishment for the drug charge correct?
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