Proposition 34 would repeal the death penalty in California, and replace it with the sentence of life imprisonment without parole. It also would establish a $100 million fund for state and local law enforcement agencies to enable those agencies to solve homicide and rape cases. This funding would last from 2012 until 2016.
Why vote Yes?
Project Innocence and other organizations, using DNA analysis and other techniques, have shown that many convictions that resulted in a death sentence were based on faulty evidence, and even have demonstrated the innocence of prisoners sentenced to death. Proposition 34 would provide a more fair sentence to those convicted of violent crimes under special circumstances (homicide for financial gain, an unusual cruel crime, or one committed during other criminal activities). California would also save about $100 million a year in court costs (including mandatory appeals), as well as incarceration and additional prison construction costs.
What if Proposition 34 loses?
If Proposition 34 loses, the death penalty statute will continue to be in effect. This may mean that innocent people could be sentenced to death and executed. In addition, costs of up to $100 million a year ($50 million in Supreme Court appeals costs alone) will still be incurred by the state.
More information
League of Women Voters http://cavotes.org/vote/election/2012/november/6/ballot-measure/death-penalty
Proposed text http://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2012/general/pdf/text-proposed-laws-v2.pdf#nameddest=prop34
