California has reformed criminal sentencing practices in recent years. As a result, life without parole (LWOP) sentences imposed decades ago are no longer consistent with modern sentencing that allows for judicial discretion and takes into account mitigating factors. SB 94 (Cortese) would allow people sentenced for events that occurred before 1990 and who have served at least 25 years of their LWOP sentence to have one chance for a judge to review their sentence.
SB 94 is narrowly tailored to give judges full discretion to leave the life without parole sentence unchanged, or to resentence a person to a minimum of 25-years-to-life. Specifically, SB 94:
- Allows judges to review LWOP sentences from the 70s & 80s
- Prioritizes public safety and victim input at each step of the process
- Restores hope, which is a powerful tool to incentivize rehabilitation
Tell your Assemblymember to vote YES on SB 94 now
As California works to make our criminal legal system more just, effective, equitable, and transparent, we must incentivize rehabilitation. Californians who have served decades under LWOP sentences should have the opportunity to show their remorse and rehabilitation. SB 94 restores hope, incentivizing participation in rehabilitative and educational programming even for those who may never be paroled. Act now – tell your Assemblymember to vote YES on SB 94 and be a part of creating a more equitable and redemptive criminal justice system.
