SACRAMENTO – Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation today that would require the applicant of a commutation request to notify the district attorney of the county where the conviction occurred, 10 days before the Governor acts.
AB 648, authored by Assemblymember Marty Block, D-San Diego, would insure that the district attorney who prosecuted the case, victims and their families have notice of a request for a potential change in sentencing, and ample opportunity for input.
“This bill goes a long way in restoring the public’s confidence in the judicial system,” said Block. “I am pleased that Governor Brown signed this bill despite the minor limitation it puts on a Governor, because it’s the right thing to do. I am sure that crime victim’s throughout the state are heartened by the outcome.”
This bill gives the opportunity for both the District Attorney and the victim and their family the right to submit a written recommendation for or against the commutation request to the governor.
AB 648 requires 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.
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 also requires 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
