I saw a short article yesterday about San Francisco. The city has decided to retroactively allow felonies to be reduced for Marijuana convictions. Prop 64 " legalized " Marijuana in the state, not really but that's another whole discussion in itself. So San Francisco has decided to review over 5000 felony convictions dating all the way back to 1975. You can get these conviction reduced or expunged from the record. Sounds great doesn't it ? I couldn't help but shake my head in wonderment. You mean to tell me that when we change a law, even though that change itself isn't legal, we are going to review all convictions on that law from the last 43 years !
One of the reason given is it is harder to get a job following a felony conviction. Well, imagine that. The plan is to allow all those convicted felons to become proactive member of society. That's a quote from the article. Proactive members of society , really ? If they were charged and found guilty of a felony weren't they being proactive back then ? Of course they were it was just that the action taken was illegal ! The legal system was reactive, convictions were handed down. What is the message being sent ? Oh we're sorry, you broke the law, were punished for that choice but we forgive you, we'll act like it never happened.
If I get a speeding ticket for doing 40 in a 25 but thirty years later they change that limit 40 do I get my money back ? Will I get those points removed from my license ? Can I sue to recoup the increase in my insurance ? Oh and it cost me a job as a driver for Dominos ! If something is illegal today, but made legal tomorrow, it was still illegal yesterday ! I guess that train of thought is far too long for Californians to understand, at least in San Francisco it is. I've heard of leaving your heart in San Francisco but common sense is in short supply. Explain this to me. You committed a crime, you were arrested, had a fair trial and was convicted. You were then sentenced. But, we change the law and all is forgiven ? Opps sorry we enforced the law thirty years ago.
Over 5000 felony convictions and 3000 misdemeanor convictions could be dismissed and the records sealed. Well, they say as long as the person isn't a risk to public safety because, well you know, safety first. It will give these fine citizens access to housing and employment thus fixing the drug problem. The District Attorney stated plainly, what they did wasn't really a crime ! Let that statement sink in. These people were charged and found guilty of a crime through due process of law. Yet the D.A. says, well it isn't really a crime ? Just what law school did he go to ? The D.A. does not get to rule on what is law and what is not ! His or her personal feelings do not enter into that decision. The fact that this particular guy was involved in establishing the first Marijuana dispensary in San Francisco I'm certain had no influence on his decision. He points out that the African American and Latino communities are the most effected by this. Of course he doesn't mention that is those same communities that commit the majority of the crimes, that fact is just a little too inconvenient. Well, we all know they were unjustly targeted. It was just the bigoted justice system holding these proactive citizens from reaching their full potential. Could be the Democrats want to increase their voter base once again ! Forgiveness, soft on crime, promises of entitlements and empowering the people, all Hallmarks of the Democratic platform. And now we will make what was illegal, legal but we won't stop there ! No, we will declare that it was never illegal in the first place and so all the records should be sealed ! If I'm a convicted felon, I'll vote for that !
One of the reason given is it is harder to get a job following a felony conviction. Well, imagine that. The plan is to allow all those convicted felons to become proactive member of society. That's a quote from the article. Proactive members of society , really ? If they were charged and found guilty of a felony weren't they being proactive back then ? Of course they were it was just that the action taken was illegal ! The legal system was reactive, convictions were handed down. What is the message being sent ? Oh we're sorry, you broke the law, were punished for that choice but we forgive you, we'll act like it never happened.
If I get a speeding ticket for doing 40 in a 25 but thirty years later they change that limit 40 do I get my money back ? Will I get those points removed from my license ? Can I sue to recoup the increase in my insurance ? Oh and it cost me a job as a driver for Dominos ! If something is illegal today, but made legal tomorrow, it was still illegal yesterday ! I guess that train of thought is far too long for Californians to understand, at least in San Francisco it is. I've heard of leaving your heart in San Francisco but common sense is in short supply. Explain this to me. You committed a crime, you were arrested, had a fair trial and was convicted. You were then sentenced. But, we change the law and all is forgiven ? Opps sorry we enforced the law thirty years ago.
Over 5000 felony convictions and 3000 misdemeanor convictions could be dismissed and the records sealed. Well, they say as long as the person isn't a risk to public safety because, well you know, safety first. It will give these fine citizens access to housing and employment thus fixing the drug problem. The District Attorney stated plainly, what they did wasn't really a crime ! Let that statement sink in. These people were charged and found guilty of a crime through due process of law. Yet the D.A. says, well it isn't really a crime ? Just what law school did he go to ? The D.A. does not get to rule on what is law and what is not ! His or her personal feelings do not enter into that decision. The fact that this particular guy was involved in establishing the first Marijuana dispensary in San Francisco I'm certain had no influence on his decision. He points out that the African American and Latino communities are the most effected by this. Of course he doesn't mention that is those same communities that commit the majority of the crimes, that fact is just a little too inconvenient. Well, we all know they were unjustly targeted. It was just the bigoted justice system holding these proactive citizens from reaching their full potential. Could be the Democrats want to increase their voter base once again ! Forgiveness, soft on crime, promises of entitlements and empowering the people, all Hallmarks of the Democratic platform. And now we will make what was illegal, legal but we won't stop there ! No, we will declare that it was never illegal in the first place and so all the records should be sealed ! If I'm a convicted felon, I'll vote for that !
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