The bill emphasizes the legislative intent that the parameters defined in Proposition 47, enacted in 2014, were not designed to protect individuals committing thefts aggregating over $950 across multiple acts. The amendment serves to reinforce the notion that systematic and continued theft, particularly those executed with the intent to defraud multiple victims, carries a distinct gravity warranting escalated charges. This legislative clarity addresses concerns regarding recidivism in petty theft cases, particularly in communities suffering from high levels of property crime.
Assembly Bill 1772, introduced by Assembly Member Chau on February 22, 2019, seeks to amend Section 487 of the Penal Code in relation to theft aggregation. The legislation intends to clarify that in instances where the total value of property stolen exceeds $950 through a series of distinct but related acts, the total value may be aggregated to charge the offender with grand theft. This measure aims to codify existing case law, asserting that multiple thefts, motivated by a singular intention or plan, can be treated as one count of grand theft if they collectively surpass the specified monetary threshold.
Despite its intent to clarify existing law, AB 1772 faced notable contention, primarily from civil liberties advocates and some community groups who argue that this could lead to the undue escalation of punishment for petty crimes. They assert that it may disproportionately impact lower-income individuals and further criminalize behavior that may be symptomatic of larger socio-economic issues. Critics of the bill argue it could lead to over-policing and negatives effects on community-police relations, echoing themes raised during the debates surrounding Proposition 47.