ABC Eyewitness News Channel 7 provided an update on this story on November 23, 2013. You can see the video here.

The previous location had a set of problems that could no longer be ignored. The old location was no longer adequate to meet the demands of the community of Long Beach. Lines would extend outside the building; there were issues of overcrowding, rodent and cockroach infestations, as well as security concerns.

According to the spokesperson for the state Administrative Office of the Courts, the financial backing for this courthouse was met from a combination of private and public funding. This new approach for private and public funding for public projects was started by former governor Schwarzenegger. The plan is that the developer paid for the construction of the building upfront, in turn the state of California will repay that amount plus interest over a 35 year period.

Here is a video of the new courthouse provided courtesy of Gazettes.com

If you are having trouble viewing the video, you can see it here.

Until recently, the law in California required that anyone with two prior serious or violent convictions who then picks up a third felony of any type had to be sentenced to 25 years to life. One significant exception to that was the Romero exception which referred to a case by the same name. That case allowed a Judge to strike a prior violent or serious conviction if the ends of justice, in the Judge’s opinion, required it. If a Judge found that striking a prior conviction for a particular Defendant was appropriate then that Defendant would not be sentenced to 25 years to life. Despite the Romero exception however, many Defendants faced a difficult battle even if the new felony was relatively minor like possession of a controlled substance or a theft offense.

Then, in an effort to be fairer to Defendants and perhaps to lessen the prison population, the California legislature passed a law known as the Three Strikes Reform Act of 2012 in November of 2012. That law states that a Defendant will only be subject to a 25 year to life sentence if the new crime (or third strike) is a serious or violent one. Serious or violent crimes would include residential burglary, Assault with Great Bodily Injury, Car Jacking, some Sex Offenses, and Attempted Murder among others. However, crimes like Possession with Intent to Sell a Controlled Substance and Grand Theft are not considered serious or violent and thus would not trigger the 25 to life sentence requirement.

By some estimates there are 3000 inmates who are serving 25 to life sentences for situations where the third strike was not a serious or violent offense. Those inmates are entitled to immediate review of their cases. The Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo can be retained to file a Motion for Resentencing consistent with the new law. It should be noted that the District Attorney can fight this attempt at resentencing if they present evidence at the hearing that shows the Defendant poses an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety. Regardless, for Defendants in this situation, it provides a great opportunity to get their life back. (See People v. Superior State of California, Kaulick-Real Party in Interest. 2013 DJDAR 5571).

Here is a CBS News video discussing the Motion for Resentencing, you can see the video here.

Criminal Law Updates by the Law Offices of Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney William W. Bruzzo (714) 547 4636

Related Articles

• “Three-strike” lifers get a second chance in Calif. prisons (cbsnews.com)
• California ‘Three-Strike’ Inmates Get 2nd Chance With New Law (sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com)

“I was arrested for a violation of Penal Code Sections 12025(a) (1) [Carrying a Concealed Weapon in a Vehicle], 12031(a) [Carrying a Loaded Weapon in a Vehicle] and 538(b) (2) [impersonating an officer]. I had several weapons in my vehicle with ammunition-most of my weapons were properly stored in my vehicle but a few were not. All the weapons pertain to my being in the private security business. I also had other very expensive items that I needed for my job. I hired Attorney William W. Bruzzo to represent me as he came highly recommended as an Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney very familiar with the District Attorneys and Judges in Orange County. If I suffered a conviction or lost my equipment I would be unable to work. Mr. Bruzzo helped me get my equipment back from the police. He also spoke with the District Attorney in an attempt to persuade them not to file the case against me since I was a legitimate private security individual. In the end Mr. Bruzzo persuaded the District Attorney NOT TO FILE THE CASE. I NEVER HAD TO GO TO COURT AND I NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A CONVICTION. I feel strongly that if I had not hired Mr. Bruzzo the result would have been much different. As such I highly recommend Mr. Bruzzo for any criminal law matter.” ~~ PB, May 14, 2010