HonorableJerryBrown

GovernoroftheStateofCalifornia
StateCapitol,Suite1173
Sacramento,CA95814
Phone(916)4452841
Fax:(916)5583160
Re:AB2888(Low)
DearGovernorBrown:
IamwritingtoaskyoutopleasesignAB2888intolaw.AB2888(Low)passedthe
floorvoteonAugust29,2016withamajorityvote.Thisbillmakesasignificantchangeto
thesentencingofapersonconvictedofrape,sodomy,penetrationwithaforeignobject,or
oralcopulationwhenthevictimoftheiractionswaseitherunconsciousorincapableof
givingconsentduetointoxication,validatingtheexperienceofvictimsofsexualviolence.
AB2888(Low)promotesconsistencyinthesentencingofcrimesofsexual
violencebyaddingthecrimeofrape,sodomy,penetrationwithaforeignobject,ororal
copulationwhenthevictimoftheiractionswaseitherunconsciousorincapableofgiving
consentduetointoxicationtoalistofspecifiedprovisionsoflawthatarealready
ineligibleforprobation,suchasrapebyforce,pandering,aggravatedsexualassaultofa
child,andothers.
TheAssemblyFloorAnalysisofAB2888includesthefollowingcommentwhichillustrates
theimportanceofthisbill:
"Underthisinterpretationofthelaw,aperpetratoratacollegepartywhochoosesto
forciblyrapeaconsciousvictimwillgotoprison.However,adifferentperpetratorat
thesamepartywhochoosestowatchandwaitforavictimtopassoutfrom
intoxicationbeforesexuallyassaultinghermaygetprobation.Whetherpenetrationis
accomplishedthroughphysicalaggression[force]orpredatorybehaviorisa
distinctionwithoutadifference.Bothperpetratorsseekpreythatarevulnerable
disadvantagedbyhis/hercapacitytoresist.Bothperpetratorsrepresentadangerto
thecommunity.Additionally,theaftermathsufferedbyanunconsciousvictimora
victimincapableofgivingconsentduetointoxicationisnotamelioratedbythe
absenceofmemory.Indeed,thefearandterrorthataccompaniestheabsenceof
memoryofaknownsexualassaultshouldnotbeviewedaslessseriousthanthefear
andterrorthatavictimexperiencesduringarecalledforciblesexualassault.
ExistingRule4.410inthe2016CaliforniaRulesofCourtlaysoutthegeneralobjectivesin
sentencingandsaysthatsentencesshouldprotectsocietyanddeterothersfrom
criminalconductbydemonstratinginsconsequences.Theseobjectivesinclude:
1) ProtectingSociety,
2) PunishingtheDefendant,
3) EncouragingthedefendanttoleadalawabidinglifeinthefutureandDeterringhim
orherfromFutureOffenses
4) Deterringothersfromcriminalconductbydemonstratingitsconsequences,
5) Preventingthedefendantfromcommittingnewcrimesbyisolatinghimorherforthe
periodofincarceration,

6) Securingrestitutionforthevictimsofcrime,and
7) Achievinguniformityinsentencing.

TheAssemblyFloorAnalysisofAB2888furtherstatesthat,accordingtotheSenate
AppropriationsCommittee,therecouldbepotentiallysignificantincreaseinstate
incarcerationcostsfornewcommitmentstostateprisonthatotherwisemayhavebeen
grantedprobationorsuspensionofimpositionofafelonysentence,apotentialincreasein
futureparolesupervisioncostsforpersonsreleasedfromstateprisonforarapeconviction,
andunquantifiablenetlocalagencysupervisioncostsforpersonsreleasedontostate
paroleforrapeconvictionsinlieuofprobation.Whilenoonecanpredictthefutureitis
importanttomakerationalfinancialdecisionsbasedinreality.Thispotentialincreasein
incarcerationcostsmaynotoccurifcriminalsaredeterredfromcommittingthese
crimesinthefirstplace.
TheCDCconsiderssexualviolencetobeapublichealthissuewithlongtermsocial,
psychological,andphysicaleffectssuchasposttraumaticstressdisorder,suicide,and
cervicalcancer.Theyfindthatimmediatepsychologicalconsequencesincludeshock,denial,
fear,andshameorguilt.Sexualviolencealreadycostsus.TheCaliforniaDepartmentof
PublicHealthstatesthatthecostsofsexualviolencetoindividuals,communities,
andsocietydemandsattentionfromexpertsinthefieldofpublichealthtosave
lives,savemoney,andbuildthrivingcommunities.Inadditiontothehealthcarecosts
andlostproductivity,wespendmoneyoncleaningupaftertheseviolentcrimes.Wehave
theCaliforniaEmergencyManagementAgencyprovidesgrantstoensurethatallvictimsof
sexualassaultandrapereceivethecomprehensiveservicesthattheyneed.
Inadditiontolayingoutgeneralobjectivesinsentencing,Rule4.410alsostatesthata
sentencingjudgeshouldbeguidedbystatutorystatementsbecauseofinstanceswherethe
objectivesinsentencingmaysuggestinconsistentdispositions.AB2888closesa
loopholeandprotectsjudgesandthepublicbymakingitclearwhatsentencing
optionsareallowed.ThePreambletotheCaliforniaCodeofJudicialEthicsstatesthatour
legalsystemisbasedontheprinciplethatanindependent,fair,andcompetentjudiciarywill
interpretandapplythelawsthatgovernusandthatintrinsictothiscodearetheprecepts
thatjudgesmustrespectandhonorthejudicialofficeasapublictrustandmuststriveto
enhanceandmaintainconfidenceinourlegalsystem.ClosingthisloopholebysigningAB
2888willgreatlyassistinensuringpublicconfidence.
Thisbillisnotonlyasmartfinancialinvestmentinhandlingsexualviolence,butit
legitimizesvictimsofsexualviolenceandtellsthepeopleofCaliforniathatour
safetyandwellbeingmatter.Thisisonestepinthebigpictureofpreventingsexual
violence.PleasetakeastandagainstsexualviolencebysigningAB2888intolaw.
Thankyou!
Sincerely,

(your name)
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