California: How SB399 Will Work

Resentencing Criteria

A youth offender must meet three of eight criteria to get a resentencing hearing. What are the criteria? They include that the offender:

1. Was convicted pursuant to felony murder or aiding and abetting laws;
2. Did not have juvenile convictions for felony assaults or other violent crimes prior to this offense;
3. Had at least one adult co-defendant in this offense;
4. Lacked sufficient adult support or supervision, and suffered from trauma, or other significant stress prior to this offense;
5. Suffers from mental illness, developmental disabilities, or other factors that influenced his or her involvement in the offense;
6. Has performed acts which indicate rehabilitation or the potential for rehabilitation since the time of this offense;
7. Has maintained family ties or connections with others through letter writing, calls, or visits, or has eliminated contact with individuals outside of prison who are crime-involved;
8. Has no violent disciplinary violations in the last five years.

   (This is a summary. For the exact wording, please see the text of SB399.)