Parole-revoking rules toughened by Prop. 9 tossed

[alp227]

A federal judge has struck down the state's voter-approved rules toughening standards for revoking paroles, saying they violate the right to legal representation and tilt the system in favor of sending ex-cons back to prison.

The procedures were part of Proposition 9, passed by a 54 percent majority in November 2008, and affecting revocation hearings for tens of thousands of parolees accused each year of violating the terms of their release.

Prop. 9 did not guarantee parolees the right to present evidence at the hearings. It also allowed parole agents to testify about incriminating statements by witnesses who were not in court, and required the state to provide lawyers only for parolees who appeared unable to defend themselves.

Another provision required the parole board to consider "the safety of victims and the public" but to disregard the costs and burdens of imprisonment when deciding whether to revoke parole.

full: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/01/27/BA631MV3RU.DTL

[gopiscrap]

1. Good

we need to get off of this Nazi law and schtick and back to constitutional rights...all cops, prosecutors, judges, paroles and probation officers are just a bunch of frustrated Nazi wannabes.