PROPOSITION 47


SUMMARY

Proposition 47 ("Prop 47"), also known as the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act, was the ballot initiative passed by California voters and went into effect on November 5, 2014. This new law reduces certain drug and property offenses from felonies to misdemeanors.

Prop 47 allows certain people who are currently serving a felony conviction for these crimes to petition the court for resentencing. It also allows certain people who have completed a felony conviction sentence to apply to the court to have the offense reclassified as a misdemeanor.

Additional resources are available below. Please note that Library employees are not legal professionals and therefore cannot provide legal advice. Consult your legal counsel for more specific information.

RESOURCES

Text of Prop 47
Full text of the ballot initiative from the California Secretary of State

Prop 47 forms for Fresno County Superior Court
Forms and instructions to file pursuant to Prop 47. These forms are specific to the Fresno County Superior Court only.

Prop 47 forms for other counties
Forms for other California counties

Prop 47 information from the California Courts
Detailed analysis of Prop 47 from the Judicial Council of California. Also includes a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) sheet for commonly asked questions and answers

Analysis from the California Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO)
Fiscal and nonpartisan analysis of Prop 47 from the LAO

Fresno County Public Defender Office
For individuals seeking reductions pursuant to Prop 47 who were previously represented by the Fresno County Public Defender Office

Prop 47 FAQs from Nolo
Additional questions and answers from Nolo, a popular do-it-yourself publisher