(Woodland, CA) – January 14, 2025 – During the week of January 5th -11th, 2025, in Yolo County, four people were charged with Shoplifting with Two Priors; and two people were charged with Possession of Hard Drug with Two Priors, that mandates treatment.
The charges are all felonies under Proposition 36, which went into effect on December 18, 2024. Under Prop 36 defendants are held in custody until they go before a judge and/or they must post bail. Since the passing of Prop 47 in 2014, these offenses were simply “cite and release” offenses with no real meaningful consequences for the crimes committed. The goal of Proposition 36 is to get treatment for those suffering with substance use disorders and those who habitually shoplift, often to support their substance addictions.
Since December 18th, Yolo County District Attorney has charged a total of 7 cases for shoplifting/ retail theft violations, and 14 cases for possession of hard drugs. In a recent court hearing, one defendant, with a lengthy criminal history of drug possession and theft cases that was charged with the new mandated treatment felony, commented that Prop 36 saved their life.
Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig stated “Yolo County voters, like all of California, voted overwhelmingly in support of Prop 36, wanting to stop repeated theft and to get drug treatment to those suffering from addiction. We at the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office are fully implementing all aspects of Prop 36 and we are very optimistic that the results will be a better Yolo County.”
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