Governor Newsom Signs Bills Restricting Sentencing Enhancements

Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a series of new laws that will reduce prison sentences and sentencing enhancements. Senate Bill 81 reduces sentence enhancements in criminal cases by requiring a judge to consider mitigating factors, such as a defendant's age or mental condition at the time of a prior conviction or if a sentence would result in a "discriminatory racial impact." Senate Bill 73 ends mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenses, and Assembly Bill 333 limits the state's gang enhancement law. See San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, Cal Matters.