Assembly Sends Commutation Limits Bill To Governor
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- The California Assembly has unanimously approved a bill to slow down the governor's ability to grant clemency to convicted criminals.
The bill approved Monday was a response to a controversial decision by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who reduced the sentence of a political ally's son just hours before he left office. The Senate unanimously approved it last week.
If signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, AB648 by Democratic Assemblyman Marty Block of San Diego would require that the governor give at least 10 days notice to the district attorney before acting on an application for clemency.
The district attorney would have to make reasonable efforts to notify the victim or victims of the crime, who would have time to petition against a sentence reduction.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
