SACRAMENTO – The California State Assembly today passed AB 648, authored by Assemblymember Marty Block, D-San Diego. AB 648 would require notification to victims, their families and District Attorneys when the Governor considers a commutation. The bill will now be sent to the Governor.
“This measure allows victims, their families and District Attorneys to have a voice in the commutation process and would require the notification requirements for commuting a sentence to be consistent with the current process for pardons,” said Block.
If signed, AB 648 would require an applicant for a commutation to notify the district attorney of the county where the conviction occurred 10 days before the Governor acts. The district attorney would then be required to notify the victim and their families of the application.
San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis sponsored the bill. “The District Attorney’s Office is dedicated to fighting for rights that are guaranteed to crime victims under the law. Assembly Bill 648 ensures victims have a voice in all proceedings, including the commutation process,” said DA Dumanis.
Current law governing commutation procedures does not require notice to district attorneys or victims that would give them an opportunity to be heard during the consideration of an application for commutation. AB 648 remedies this problem by giving the opportunity to victims and the district attorney to submit recommendations in support or opposition on applications for commutations. Current law only requires the district attorney to be notified in the case of a pardon.
AB 648 would also require the Governor to file a written report with the Legislature and include the application for each reprieve, pardon or commutation received by the Governor or his or her predecessor that was approved. This report would also be available to the public.
AB 648 has received support from the San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis who is the sponsor of the bill, Crime Victims United of California, California District Attorneys Association, County of San Diego Board of Supervisors, San Bernardino County Office of the Sheriff, San Diego County Police Chiefs’ and Sheriff’s Association, California Police Chiefs Association Inc., Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, Long Beach Police Officers Association, Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association, Santa Ana Police Officers Association and California Fraternal Order of Police.
Assemblymember Marty Block proudly represents the cities and communities of Bonita, Chula Vista, Lemon Grove, San Diego and Spring Valley.
Contact: Courtney Miller, (916) 202-0003
