Yolo County Implements Prop 36 with Charges for Repeat Offenders and Mandated Treatment
(Woodland, CA) – January 14, 2025 – During the week of January 5-11, 2025, the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office charged four individuals with shoplifting offenses under California’s Proposition 36, which targets repeat offenders. Additionally, two individuals were charged with possession of controlled substances with two prior convictions, mandating court-ordered treatment as part of the initiative.
Proposition 36, enacted on December 18, 2024, establishes that individuals charged with these offenses remain in custody until they appear before a judge or post bail. Prior to the proposition’s passage, such crimes were typically addressed through citation and release protocols, which often failed to address underlying issues such as substance abuse or habitual theft.
Since the measure’s implementation, the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office has filed seven shoplifting cases and 14 cases involving possession of hard drugs. One defendant with a history of theft and substance-related offenses credited the mandated treatment provision with helping to turn their life around.
“Yolo County voters, like all of California, voted overwhelmingly in support of Prop 36, wanting to stop repeated theft and to get drug treatment to those suffering from addiction,” said Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig. “We are fully implementing all aspects of Prop 36 and are optimistic that it will lead to positive outcomes for our community.”
The goal of Proposition 36 is to reduce repeat offenses and provide treatment opportunities for those affected by substance use disorders, creating long-term benefits for individuals and the wider community.
Image: Yolo County DA
