Press Release
Democrats Seek To Weaken Current Gang Law
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2007
In a joint press conference today, Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, Assemblywoman Anna Caballero (D-28th), Assemblyman Charles Calderon (D-58th), Paul Krekorian (D-43rd), and Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-26th), introduced the Democratic Anti-Gang package 'designed to curb illegal activities of criminal street gangs statewide.' Upon closer review, it seems that the Democratic "tough on gangs" legislation would actually WEAKEN current gang law designed to protect minors.
The priority of our state and lawmakers should be to protect our society's most valued asset, our children.
Existing Law:
Penal Code 186.26
(a):An person who solicits or recruits another to actively participate in a criminal street gang...shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months, or two or three years.
(d) If the person solicited, recruited, coerced, or threatened pursuant to subdivision (a), (b), or (c) is a minor, an additional term of three years shall be imposed in addition and consecutive to the penalty prescribed for a violation of any of these subdivisions.
Democratic Anti-Gang Package AB 1033:
"This bill would additionally provide that any person who causes or induces a minor to become a member of a criminal street gang, as defined, is guilty of a misdemeanor."
· Proposed Penal Code Language:
c) (1) Every person who commits any act or omits the performance of any duty, which act or omission causes or tends to cause or encourage any person under the age of 18 years to become a member of a criminal street gang as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 186.22, or which act or omission contributes thereto, or any person who, by any act or omission, or by threats, commands, or persuasion, induces or endeavors to induce any person under the age of 18 years to become a member of a criminal street gang, is guilty of a misdemeanor. Upon conviction thereof, he or she shall be punished by fine not exceeding two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or by both fine and imprisonment in a county jail.
Hector M. Barajas, Communications Director, California Republican Party
1201 K Street, Suite 740 · Sacramento, California 95814 · (916) 448-9496 office · (916) 448-9497 fax www.cagop.org
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