*San Bernardino, CA – Deputy Chief Thomas Sone along with three counties (San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside) of public defenders came together to help over 1000 felons receive Prop 47 expungements, a first time ever event.
Asst. Pastor Robert Cuencas along with Asst. Pastor Janet Casas of the Way World Outreach Church ministered to all the anxious recipients and organized the event.
Steven Williams, celebrity photographer/publicist gave a riveting testimony on his struggles and overcoming the stigma of being an ex- felon.
Williams continued, “My testimony is that by God’s saving grace, I have gone “From the Walls of Prison to the Halls of UCLA.”
During my incarceration I gave my life to Christ and made a live-saving decision to walk in the light.
Despite my many successes, sadly, my last employer let me go because of the mistake I made in 1988.
Thank God I learned of California’s Prop 47, which gives felons a fresh start. It has helped me and now I want to help others.
Kim Carter CEO of Time For Change and recipient of the CNN Heroes Award shared with the audience how her nonprofit provides assistance for mother to regain their children and offer housing.
Olympian Andrew Reyes shared his struggles coming from Liberia to America from a family of 18 and being determine to win against all odds.
Pastor Robert Saucedo gave an altar call and brought many to Christ. Pastor Dejuana Robinson from the Upper Room church in Adelanto ministered to the audience in song and testimony.
Celebrity stylist Scott Julion encouraged many as he toured the beautiful building.
The Way World Outreach church with over 150 volunteers and The Steven Williams Foundation along with Insite, ASAP, organized to provide this life changing Prop 47 Rally.
The public defenders stayed beyond 4PM to help everyone.
This event was historical and set a precedent of being the largest Prop 47 Rally in San Bernardino, CA as well the first time ever that 3 counties (LA, San Bernardino, Riverside) came together to help provide expungements.
Proposition 47, the ballot initiative passed by California voters on November 4, 2014, reduces certain drug possession felonies to misdemeanors.
It also requires misdemeanor sentencing for petty theft, receiving stolen property and forging/writing bad checks when the amount involved is $950 or less. Expires June 2017
In short, what does Proposition 47 do? Proposition 47 added and amended various statutory provisions to implement the following three changes to felony sentencing laws:
- Drug Possession Offenses: Changes certain theft and drug possession offenses from felonies to misdemeanors, except for persons with certain prior convictions.
- Petty theft, forging or bad check, receipt of stolen property, Shoplifting, commercial burglary
- Resentencing: Authorizes defendants currently serving sentences for felony offenses that would have qualified as misdemeanors under the proposition to petition courts for resentencing under the new misdemeanor provisions.
source:
Steven Williams PR
stevenwilliamspr@aol.
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