57 Napa County Marijuana Convictions Dismissed Under Prop 64

NAPA, CA — The Napa County District Attorney's Office announced this week that it has successfully partnered with the Public Defender's Office in expediting relief to those with marijuana-related convictions affected by Proposition 64.

The law passed by California voters legalized the possession and use of recreational marijuana by adults. Additionally, Prop. 64 decreased penalties for those convicted of possession with intent to sell, sales, transportation and cultivation of marijuana. The law was retroactive, allowing for reductions and dismissals for previously imposed punishments.

"Based upon the passage of Proposition 64 and the will of the voters, our office has been proactive in identifying cases eligible for reductions and dismissals," Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley said in a news release. "In collaboration with the Public Defender and Napa Superior Court, we have brought prompt relief to those impacted by prior marijuana convictions."

In Napa County, 93 such convictions have already been reduced from felonies to misdemeanors, according to Napa County Assistant District Attorney Paul Gero.

This was after the DA's Office used its case management system and identified 295 eligible cases since 2011 when the system was put in place.

"With the assistance of volunteer law clerks, police reports and criminal history of those eligible were analyzed," Gero said.

The identified cases were forwarded to the public defender, who reviewed the cases and prepared petitions.

Haley then signed the petitions and forwarded them to the court clerk for stipulation by a Napa Superior Court judge.

In addition to the 93 cases reduced to misdemeanor offenses, 10 Napa County marijuana cases were reduced to infractions and 57 were outright dismissed.

"Dismissed cases were sealed and destroyed pursuant to the new law," Gero said.

Eligible persons can petition the court based upon a variety of criteria, including the charge, age at the time of violation, and type and quantity of marijuana, according to the DA's office.

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