Proposition 36 (2012)
Proposition 36 was passed by California voters on November 2012. This law changed the way three strike cases in California are handled. Under the old law any felony coupled with 2 or more prior serious or violent felonies would result in a sentence of 25 years to life in prison. Now, with some exceptions, the third strike must also be a serious or violent felony in order to trigger a life sentence. It also allows for review of previous life sentences that would not under the new law result in a life sentence.
These reviews are a critical step in a resentencing. Many mistakenly assume that the resentencing is automatic. In fact the resentencing of a 3rd strike offender is discretionary. The court can and in some cases will decline to resentence the defendant, and allow the life sentence to remain. If you are a friend or a relative of a third strike inmate seeking resentencing you should contact our office for legal assistance.
Time is also of the essence. Inmates currently serving a life sentence only have until November 6, 2014 to file a petition for the court to reconsider the previous life sentence. Failure to do so could bar a later hearing.
If a person is currently facing a 3rd strike case, or the case is on appeal actions also must be taken to avoid a 3rd strike sentence.
Our office can help petition for review of 3rd strike sentences for those that meet the criteria for resentencing.
The Law Offices of Craig Renetzky aggressively defends clients in all Southern California courtrooms on state and federal charges, including DUI, DMV, misdemeanor, felony, juvenile cases, and more, in the following communities and courthouses.
Los Angeles County, CA: Los Angeles County Attorney: Agoura, Altadena, Alhambra, Bellflower, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Calabasas, Century City, Chatsworth, Compton, Culver City, Diamond Bar, Downey, Downtown Criminal Court, El Segundo, East Los Angeles, Eastlake, Encino, El Monte, Glendale, Glendora, Hermosa Beach, Hidden Hills, Hollywood, Huntington Park, Inglewood, La Canada, LAX Court, Los Padrinos, Long Beach, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Marina Del Rey, Newhall, Norwalk, Palos Verdes, Pasadena, Pomona, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, San Dimas, San Fernando, San Marino, San Pedro, Santa Clarita, Sherman Oaks, Sierra Madre, Santa Monica, South Gate, South Pasadena, Sylmar, Torrance, Universal City, Valencia, Van Nuys, West Covina, West Hollywood, Walnut, Westchester, West Hollywood, Westlake Village, Whittier, Woodland Hills.
Orange County, CA: Orange County Attorney, CA: Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, Yorba Linda, Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, La Habra, La Palma, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange,California.
Ventura County, CA: Ventura County Attorney, CA: Camarillo, Moorpark, Oxnard, San Buenaventura, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village.
San Bernardino County, CA: San Bernadino County Attorney: Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland.
