Napa County DA Dismisses 54 Marijuana-Related Convictions

NAPA COUNTY, CA — The Napa County District Attorney's Office recently dismissed 54 marijuana-related convictions, some of which dated back to the 1970s.

The dismissals were among 127 cases forwarded to the DA's Office from the U.S. Department of Justice.

"Based upon a new law, the Department of Justice forwarded additional information to the District Attorney in 2019, including many cases completed prior to implementation of the case management system dating back as early as 1976," according to a news release Tuesday from Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley.

"As a result, 127 cases were identified, 30 cases were reduced from felony to misdemeanor, 28 cases were reduced to infraction, 54 cases were dismissed outright, and 15 cases could not be matched with court records because of their age," Haley said.

The DA's Office partnered with the DOJ to locate these additional cases and expedite relief to those with Napa County marijuana convictions affected by Proposition 64. Passed by California voters in 2016, Prop. 64 legalized the possession and use of recreational marijuana by adults. The law also decreased penalties for possession with intent to sell, sales, transportation and cultivation of marijuana.

Further, Prop. 64 was retroactive allowing for reductions and dismissals for previously imposed punishments. 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.

Last year, the DA's Office utilized its case management system to identify 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. The identified cases were forwarded to the Napa County Public Defender who reviewed the cases and prepared petitions. The DA then signed the petitions and forwarded them to the court clerk for stipulation by a Napa Superior Court judge.

Dismissed cases were sealed and destroyed pursuant to the new law.

"Our duty to fulfill the will of the voters is continuous and ongoing," Haley said. "In collaboration with the California Department of Justice and the Napa Superior Court, relief has been brought to more defendants impacted by prior marijuana convictions in a fashion that comports with the law."