(SACRAMENTO)- Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez, D-Pomona, and Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, D-Riverside, introduced Assembly Bill 67 (Rodriguez) to reclassify human trafficking, rape of an unconscious person, and domestic violence including strangulation, as violent felonies. Loopholes within Proposition 57 (2016) classified these crimes as nonviolent, affording some of the most dangerous criminals the sentencing leniency granted under Prop 57, including early parole.
“I want to thank Assemblymember Rodriguez for his leadership. This bill will protect our communities by keeping violent criminals behind bars, and provide victims with the justice and respect that they deserve” said Assemblymember Cervantes. Assemblymember Rodriguez added “The statistics around human trafficking, sexual assaults, and domestic violence are staggering. We should be doing everything in our power to ensure no one ever experiences these heinous crimes, and, where possible, prevent an offender from having the ability to harm others again. This loophole must be closed to protect the people of California and ensure we stand with survivors in their pursuit of justice.”
AB 67 is sponsored by Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, who stated the following: "I wish to thank Assemblymember Rodriquez for bringing this important proposal forward as these particular crimes have devastating and lasting effects on the victims and their families, and their serious nature should require that they be listed as violent felonies. Adding these crimes to the violent felony list is vital to community safety and to ensuring that justice is served on behalf of survivors.”
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Assemblymember Rodriguez represents the 52nd Assembly District which includes the cities of Chino, Montclair, Ontario, Pomona and portions of unincorporated Fontana.
CONTACT: Sean Connelly, (916) 319-2052