Gov. Wilson Signs Four Crime Bills

Four crime bills affecting parolees, murderers and teenagers convicted of graffiti or sex offenses were signed Wednesday by Gov. Pete Wilson.

The bills, passed by the Legislature last month, take effect Jan. 1.

One bill requires paroled inmates to be returned to the county where they last lived, unless it is in the best interest of the public to send them to another county.

Current law requires the best interest of the inmate to be considered when prison officials decide where to send him or her.

“The first and foremost factor should be ensuring public safety, not catering to the desires of the parolee,” Wilson said. The bill is by Assemblyman Fred Aguiar (R-Chino).

Another bill eliminates credits for good behavior and work for convicted murderers, thereby requiring them to serve their full sentences.

Under current law, people convicted of violent crimes can reduce their sentences by 15% and those serving three-strike sentences can cut their terms by 20%.

A bill by Assemblyman Michael Sweeney (D-Hayward) increases penalties for juveniles convicted of graffiti crimes. A teenager now can be ordered to serve 24 hours of community service. The bill allows a judge to order the teenager to keep a specified area free of graffiti for at least 60 days.

The bill also permits judges to require the teenager’s parents to help with the graffiti cleanup and lets the parents be charged for the costs of monitoring the teenager’s cleanup work.

The fourth bill, by Sen. Dick Mountjoy (R-Arcadia), requires courts to notify public schools when enrolled minors are convicted of a sex crime. Current law mandates such notification for other crimes, such as gambling, drug, alcohol, weapons, assault, curfew, larceny or graffiti offenses.