The California Department of Corrections estimates there are some 4,700 criminal cases in the state that will be impacted by recently passed Proposition 47 which will reduce some felony convictions to misdemeanors. Nevada County’s Chief Probation Officer, Michael Ertola says he has no idea yet how many cases will be affected in Nevada County.*
Ertola says there are limitations on who qualifies for reduced sentencing.*
The State Department of Corrections has not given a time table yet on when Prop. 47 qualified offenders would be released . Ertola says at this point his office is trying to determine who will qualify. *
Ertola says Nevada County could have a number of Post Release Supervison cases go to local probation..
Ultimately it will be up to the courts to grant the reduction to misdemeanor probation. One other change could be in the way our local Drug Court operates.*
Without the threat of returning to prison there may be less incentive for those in drug court to finish there rehabilitation program.
Finally, there is one provision of a felony conviction that is not changed by proposition 47 and that is the right to carry a gun.*
Ertola says his probation department will be meeting next week with Nevada County law enforcement and the District Attorney’s office to get a better understanding of the impacts of Propsition 47.
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