Juveniles get second chance with new California law

SACRAMENTO, Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill that could one day bring the release of some criminals who were sentenced as juveniles to life in prison.

There are 309 inmates serving life-without-parole sentences in California for murders committed when they were younger than 18.

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"Juvenile in Justice" photo project captures kids behind bars

Brown announced Sunday that he had signed SB9, by Democratic Sen. Leland Yee of San Francisco.

It would let the inmates ask judges to reconsider their sentences after they serve at least 15 years in prison.

Judges could then reduce the no-parole sentence to 25 years-to-life if the inmate shows remorse and is taking steps toward rehabilitation.

Yee says his bill recognizes that young people's brains and impulse control grow as they age. His bill was opposed by the state's major law enforcement and victims' organizations.

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[gwrigley]

The United States has the worst record of any country in the world. We are 5% of the world's population and 25% of the world's inmates are locked up in US prisons.

Why, because it's business. Billions are made by private prison systems, and DAs and others get to keep lucrative jobs that would be not be needed if we really worked on rehabilitation, first, and second, eliminating drug, prostitution, gambling and other such vice laws and replacing them with educuation.

There are many countries that are models to follow, such as Norway whose recidivism rate is 17% while the US is 75%, unfortunately most Americans want revenge rather than solutions. And the private prison systems, along with paid off, crooked judges are only to happy to provide it.

[rwsmith29456]

I'm sure the families of the victims will be very happy to have these people walking the streets again.

[nonpolitico]

I always thought that there were 3 arms of State, one of them being the Legal/Courts etc.
If a person has committed a crime, and been sentenced by US system, (inc Jury system etc),when sentenced that should be IT!
This move (by Calif eh? That figures)! would seem to involve political interference in the Judicial arm.
(And isn`t California Democrat now?)
Perhaps if politicians could concentrate on REDUCING SPENDING ON PROGRAMS, rather than trying to Socialise the Legal System?
If anyone get 25 to life (without parole) she needs keeping in Jail!
Next I suppose, we could let out the killers and rapists and ask them to promise to be "good"??
After all it would be in line with Obama`s political line! Remember his "let`s be Friends" speech to the Arabs? Seems the Governer of Calif. is standing by his democrat pal in the WH!
Justice should be justice, not political cronyism!
This action underlines the need by citizens to have a right to own guns, (and use them as required)!
What next? "No need for Nov Election because that nice Mr Obama is "nicer", and trys to "help" people?

[hypnotoad72]

Actually, Obama tries to appeal and appease to all:


http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/10/11/romneys-advisers-met-with-obama-to-help-craft-obama-care/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/aroy/2011/10/11/how-mitt-romneys-health-care-experts-helped-design-obamacare/

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2012/mar/20/romneycare-and-obamacare-can-you-tell-difference/

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/06/conservatives-attack-mitt-romney-michael-leavitt-transition-team-obamacare-exchanges.php

But it's not just about health care reform...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3096434/vp/40575006#40575006

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7421252n&tag=contentMain;contentBody

Oh well... at least you can be proud of these guys:


http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Rick_Santorum.htm#Corporations
http://www.ontheissues.org/john_mccain.htm#Corporations
http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/mitch_mcconnell.htm#Corporations
http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/jim_demint.htm#Corporations
http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Orrin_Hatch.htm#Corporations
http://www.issues2000.org/senate/Judd_Gregg.htm#Corporations
http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Chuck_Grassley.htm#Corporations
http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/john_cornyn.htm#Corporations

"Voted NO on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore. (Mar 2005)"

Now, read that - giving taxpayer money to corporations that offshore (to communist countries). This means people in America are out of work as we're shipping jobs overseas. This also means we create a revenue problem because there are fewer working people to tax.

Obama voted 'YES' to repeal the anti-free market corporate handout issue...

And yet only Obama gets yelled at by you lot. How odd...

And Obama's compromising and co-opting GOP ideals has been the problem. Surely you will have noted that by now?

More info on the people you blindly love:

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/joe_conason/2009/03/27/deficits

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/06/27/eric_cantor_conflict_of_interest/index.html

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/04/14/158424/republican-leaders-debt-limit-hypocrisy/

[hypnotoad72]

P.S. What if you were the one who needed help one day?

I mean, true leeches (either working poor or the corporate elite) that take taxpayer-funded entitlements aren't the only ones who exist in this country. You and I do... I don't agree with your side's politics all the time, but that wouldn't stop me - as a fellow countryman - from helping you.

The difference is, my level of maturity goes beyond petty politics.

Does yours?

[Groundhog666]

I hope the first one released murders Sen. Leland Yee or a close family member of his. Will bed wetting liberals ever learn?

[MMMossy]

Seriously? I can't believe you'd say something so horrible.

[hypnotoad72]

I hope he moves next to you.

How does it feel?

Actually, while I think Brown is making quite the mistake, your vitriol isn't really needed.

[sallychicago]

This is a good step, because not everyone under 18 has "adult" intelligence and decision making skills. They act on emotion. Let's hope that real rehabbing will take place once they're in prison. I suggest "mind altering".

[hypnotoad72]

Given how many who have F'ed this country also operated under emotion, I could use the same qualifiers to not only justify Brown being wrong, but that a lot more people should be in prison.

If Martha Stewart could be, so many that did the same thing as her (or far worse) are still on the street...