Getting Justice Moving Again : The importance of passing Propositions 147 and 150

Two proposed bond issues on the Nov. 6 ballot would provide a total of $425 billion for elements of the criminal justice system that are too small, in bad repair, or both.

We recommend two yes votes. One is for Proposition 147, which would raise $225 million for jails and youth centers in counties that meet certain planning standards and are prepared to pick up 25% of costs.

Proposition 150 would raise $200 million to help counties play catch-up in building more courtrooms now bulging with jurors, judges, lawyers and defendants because of the explosive growth in crime and caseloads of the 1980s. This, too, would require counties to pay 25% of costs and to meet certain needs tests.

Led by Malcolm Lucas, chief justice of California, the arguments for Proposition 150 are compelling. One is a chilling contention that many courthouses are so overwhelmed by sheer numbers of people that they cannot function as centers of due process guaranteed by state law.

In addition to matching funds, counties would have to provide assurance that they were taking steps to reduce court delays, as are Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego and most other major California counties. Arguments against courthouse bonds largely derive from worries about the large numbers of bond issues on the 1990 primary and general election ballots. But one particular criticism of Proposition 150 seems to us far-fetched and far out. It says the state could get by with fewer courtrooms if it stopped prosecuting so many people charged with victimless crimes “such as marijuana possession.”

Supporters of Proposition 147 say that a recent study of juvenile halls found an immediate need for $39 million worth of fire-, health- and safety-related repairs. Seven halls and five camps need to be replaced. Without construction of new jails that would be helped by Proposition 147, counties will fall 21,000 beds short of adequate space by the mid-1990s.

In the name of justice, we urge yes votes on 147 and 150.