BILL ANALYSIS Ó SENATE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Senator Loni Hancock, Chair S 2013-2014 Regular Session B 4 7 3 SB 473 (Block) As Introduced February 21, 2013 Hearing date: April 23, 2013 Penal Code JM:mc CRIMINAL STREET GANGS HISTORY Source: County of San Diego; County of Los Angeles; County of Alameda Prior Legislation: Proposition 35 of the November 2013 General Election SB 444 (Ackerman) - Ch. 482, Stats. 2005 Proposition 21 of the March 2000 Primary Election Support: San Diego Sheriff; County of Los Angeles; Los Angeles County District Attorney; Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs; California Narcotics Officers' Association; California Police Chiefs Association; Child Abuse Prevention Center; County of San Bernardino; Crime Victims United of California; Junior League of San Diego; Junior Leagues of California; Los Angeles County Probation Officers Union; Riverside Sheriff's Association; Urban Counties Caucus; California District Attorneys Association; California State Sheriffs' Association Opposition:California Attorneys for Criminal Justice; American Civil Liberties Union (unless amended); Taxpayers for Improving Public Safety (More) SB 473 (Block) PageB KEY ISSUES SHOULD PIMPING, PANDERING AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF CRIMES THAT ESTABLISH A "PATTERN OF CRIMINAL GANG ACTIVITY" AS PART OF THE STATUTORY DEFINITION OF A CRIMINAL STREET GANG? (CONTINUED) SHOULD HIGHER PENALTIES BE IMPOSED FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND PROSTITUTION-RELATED OFFENSES THAT OCCUR WITHIN 1,000 FEET OF A SCHOOL? PURPOSE The purposes of this bill are to 1) add pimping, pandering and human trafficking to the list of "predicate" crimes that establish a "pattern of criminal gang" activity, which is an essential part of the definition of a criminal street gang; and 2) set higher penalties for prostitution offenses that occur within 1,000 feet of a school. Existing law defines "criminal street gang" as any ongoing organization, association, or group of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, having as one of its primary activities the commission of one or more enumerated offenses, having a common name or identifying sign or symbol, and whose members engage in a pattern of gang activity. (Pen. Code § 186.22, subd. (f).) Existing law provides that a pattern of criminal gang activity can be established by a single prior offense and the crime charged in the current prosecution. (People v. Gardeley (1996) 14 Cal.4th 605, 625.) (More) SB 473 (Block) PageC Existing law does not require that a person convicted of a gang-related crime<1> be shown to be a member of a gang. The defendant in a gang-related case need not have been involved in the conduct establishing a pattern of gang activity. (People v. Gardeley (1996) 14 Cal.4th 605, 621-622.) Existing law provides that any person who actively participates in a criminal street gang with knowledge that its members engage in or have engaged in a pattern of criminal gang activity and who promotes, furthers, or assists in any felonious conduct by members of the gang, shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for up to one year, or by 16 months, 2, or 3 years in state prison. (Pen. Code § 186.22, subd. (a).) Existing law provides that any person who is convicted of a felony committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with any criminal street gang, with the specific intent to promote, further, or assist in criminal conduct by gang members, shall receive a sentence enhancement or special gang penalty<2>, as specified immediately below. (Pen. Code § 186.22, subd. (b).) The (minimum) enhancements (in addition to the prison term for the underlying felony) are: § felony (other than specified) 2, 3, or 4 years § serious felony 5 years § violent felony 10 years --------------------------- <1> The term "gang-related" generally means any crime done for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a gang, with the specific intent to promote criminal conduct by gang members. (Pen. Code § 186.22, subd. (b).) <2> An enhancement is a specific term or number of years added to the standard sentence for a crime. A special penalty provision is a separate sentencing scheme, not simply a term of years added to the standard sentence (More) SB 473 (Block) PageD § home invasion robbery life, min. 15 years before parole eligibility § carjacking life, min. 15 years § shooting from vehicle life, min. 15 years § extortion or witness intimidation life, min. 7 years Existing law defines "pattern of criminal gang activity" as the commission of two or more of enumerated "predicate" offenses, provided at least one of the offenses occurred after the effective date of the statute and the last of the offenses occurred within three years after a prior offense, and the offenses were committed on separate occasions, or by two or more persons. (Pen. Code § 186.22, subd. (e).) These offenses need not result in a conviction, although prosecutors typically prove the pattern through prior convictions, as proof of convictions is generally certain and simple. Below is the list of predicate gang crimes: (1) assault with a deadly weapon or by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury; (2) robbery; (3) unlawful homicide or manslaughter; (4) the sale, possession for sale, manufacture, et cetera, of controlled substances; (5) shooting at an inhabited dwelling or occupied motor vehicle; (6) discharging or permitting the discharge of a firearm from a motor vehicle; (7) arson; (8) intimidation of witnesses and victims; (9) grand theft, as specified; (10)grand theft of any firearm, vehicle, trailer, or vessel; (11)burglary; (12)rape; (13)looting, as defined; (14)money laundering; (15)kidnapping; (16)mayhem; (17)aggravated mayhem; (18)torture, as specified; (More) SB 473 (Block) PageE (19)felony extortion, as defined; (20)felony vandalism, as defined; (21)carjacking, as defined; (22)the sale, delivery, or transfer of a firearm; (23)possession of a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person; (24)threats to commit crimes resulting in death or great bodily injury, as defined; (25)theft and unlawful taking or driving of a vehicle; (26)<3>felony theft of an access card or account information, as defined; (27)counterfeiting, designing, using, attempting to use an access card, as defined; (28)felony fraudulent use of an access card or account information, as defined; (29)identity theft, as defined and specified; (30)wrongfully obtaining Department of Motor Vehicles documentation, as defined; (31)prohibited possession of a firearm in violation of Section 12021; (32)carrying a concealed firearm, as specified; (33)carrying a loaded firearm, as specified. Existing law provides: "A pattern of gang activity may be shown by the commission of one or more of the offenses enumerated in paragraphs (26) to (30), inclusive, of subdivision (e), and the commission of one or more of the offenses enumerated in paragraphs (1) to (25), inclusive, or (31) to (33), inclusive of subdivision (e). A pattern of gang activity cannot be established solely by . . . offenses enumerated in paragraphs (26) to (30), inclusive, of subdivision (e), alone. (Pen. Code § 186.22, subd. (j).)" --------------------------- <3> A pattern of gang activity cannot be established solely by offenses enumerated in paragraphs (26) to (30). (Pen. Code § 186.22, subd. (j).) (More) SB 473 (Block) PageF This bill adds the following crimes to the list of predicate gang crimes that can be used to establish a pattern of gang activity as part of the proof of the existence of a gang: human trafficking; pimping; and pandering. Human Trafficking Existing law provides that any person who deprives or violates the personal liberty of another is guilty of human trafficking if the person specifically intends one of the following: 1) to effect or maintain a specified felony prostitution related offense; 2) commit extortion; 3) use a minor to produce or distribute obscene material or child pornography; or 4) obtain forced labor or services. (Pen. Code § 236.1, subd. (a)-(c).) Human trafficking for forced or coerced labor or services is punishable by a prison term of 5, 8 or 12 years and a fine of up to $500,000. (Pen. Code § 236.1, subd. (b).) Human trafficking involving forced or coerced sex trafficking, child pornography or extortion is punishable by a prison term of 8, 14 or 20 years and a fine of up to $500,000. (Pen. Code § 236.1, subd. (b).) Existing law provides that if the person trafficked is a minor and the crime involves a commercial sex act, as specified, the offense is punishable as follows: 5, 8 or 12 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000. 15-years-to-life and a fine of up to $500,000 if the offense involved force, threats, coercion or deceit, as specified. (Pen. Code § 236.1, subd. (c).) Existing law includes these special rules applicable to human trafficking of a minor: (More) SB 473 (Block) PageG Whether or not a minor was caused, induced or persuaded to engage in a commercial sex act depends on the totality of circumstances, including the relationship between the victim and the defendant. Mistake of fact as to the age of the victim is not a defense. Consent by a minor to an act underlying a human trafficking charge is not a defense. (Pen. Code § 236.1, subd. (d)-(f) Existing law provides for the following enhancements and special fines in human trafficking cases: The court may impose on the defendant an additional fine of up to $1,000,000. (Pen. Code § 236.4, subd. (a).) A defendant who inflicts great bodily injury on the victim of human trafficking shall be punished by a consecutive<4> prison term enhancement of 5, 7, or 10 years. (Pen. Code § 236.4, subd. (b).) A defendant shall receive a consecutive prison enhancement term of 5 years for each prior human trafficking conviction. Existing law provides that all fines imposed in trafficking offenses shall be deposited into the Victim Witness Assistance Fund, to be paid or granted as follows: 70% to public agencies and non-profits to provide direct victim services. 30% to law enforcement and prosecutors in jurisdiction where charges filed for prevention, witness protection and rescue. (Pen. Code § 236.4, subd. (d).) Existing law defines "unlawful deprivation of liberty" as --------------------------- <4> The prison terms for crimes and enhancements can be served consecutively or concurrently. A concurrent term is served at the same time as another term. Consecutive terms are served serially and separately. (More) SB 473 (Block) PageH sustained and substantial restriction of another's liberty accomplished through fraud, deceit, coercion, violence, duress, menace or a credible threat of injury to the victim or another person. (Pen. Code § 186.22, subd. (d).) Existing law provides that a victim of human trafficking may bring a civil lawsuit for actual damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief, any combination of those, or any other appropriate relief. (Civ. Code § 52.5.) Pimping and Pandering and Related Offenses Existing law defines pimping as deriving income from the earnings of a prostitute, deriving income from a place of prostitution, or receiving compensation for soliciting a prostitute. Pimping is punishable by prison term of three, four or six years and a fine of up to $10,000. Where the victim is a minor under the age of 16, the prison term is three, six or eight years. (Pen. Code § 266h, subds. (a)-(b).) Existing law defines pandering as procuring another for prostitution, inducing another to become a prostitute, procuring another person to be placed in a house of prostitution, persuading a person to remain in a house of prostitution, procuring another for prostitution by fraud, duress or abuse of authority, and commercial exchange for procurement. Pandering is punishable by a prison term of three, four or six years and a fine of up to $10,000. Where the victim is under the age of 16, the crime is a punishable by a prison term of three, six or eight years. (Pen. Code § 266i, subd. (a).) Existing law provides that where the defendant is convicted of pimping and pandering, the court may impose an additional fine of up to $5,000. This fine shall be deposited in the Victim-Witness Assistance Fund and granted to community-based organizations that serve minor victims of human trafficking. (Pen. Code § 266k, subds. (a) and (c).) Existing law includes a number of related statutes concerning the use of force, coercion, duress, enticement or inducement to (More) SB 473 (Block) PageI bring a person into prostitution or related activities. These include: Procuring for prostitution against a person's will or by false inducement. (Pen. Code § 266a - prison felony with a maximum fine of $2,000.) Use of force, threats or duress to compel another to live with another "in an illicit relation." (Pen. Code § 266b - felony subject to § 1170, subd. (h).) Inducing or compelling another person to engage in sexual intercourse, sexual penetration, oral copulation or sodomy by false representations that create fear. (Pen. Code § 266b - alternate misdemeanor-felony, with a prison term of two, three or four years.) Receiving money or other valuable thing in exchange for placing another person into a cohabitation arrangement. (Pen. Code § 266d - felony.) Paying for prostitution or to place another person in a house of prostitution. (Pen. Code § 266e - prison felony.) Receiving money or other valuable thing in exchange for placing another person in custody for immoral purposes. (Pen. Code § 266f - prison felony.) Using force or intimidation to cause a person to place his wife in a house of prostitution, or to leave her in a house of prostitution. (Pen. Code § 266g - jail felony, with a term of two, three or four years.) Special Penalties or Enhancements for Crimes Committed at or near a School Existing law includes numerous misdemeanor crimes involving prohibited entry or a school or improper conduct at a school. (Pen. Code § 626 et seq.) Existing law includes numerous enhancements or special penalty provisions for crimes committed on or near schools or that pose particular danger to children: Selling or providing specified drugs to a minor on school grounds: enhancement of 5, 7, or 9 years. (Health & (More) SB 473 (Block) PageJ Saf. Code § 11353.5.) Manufacturing methamphetamine or PCP in a place where a person under the age of 16- resides: enhancement of 2 years and 5 years where great bodily injury occurs. (Health & Saf. Code § 11379.7.) Using minor for drug transactions involving methamphetamine, PCP, LSD on grounds of a church, school, playground, et cetera, (Health & Saf. Code § 11380.1.): enhancement of 1 year (church, playground, et cetera); 2 years (school); 1, 2 or 3 years (minor used was four years younger than the perpetrator). Existing law includes the "Gun-Free School Zone Act," which prohibits possession of a firearm on the grounds of a school or within 1,000 feet of a school without the written permission of the superintendent or his or her representative.<5> Penalties are imposed pursuant to Section 1170, subdivision (h), such that eligible defendants receive jail felony terms. Possession on school grounds is a felony, with a term of two, three or five years. Possession within 1,000 feet of school grounds is a felony, with a term of two, three or five years where the defendants has a specified prior conviction, if the person is prohibited from possessing a firearm, per se, or the firearm is concealable on the person. The crime is an alternate felony-misdemeanor, with a felony term of two, three or five years, in other cases. (Pen. Code § 626.9. subds. (a)-(f).) This bill provides that where a defendant is convicted of human trafficking, or any of a list of crimes related to prostitution or specified forms sexual exploitation, and the crime occurred within 1,000 feet of an elementary, vocation, junior high or high school, the defendant shall receive a prison term sentence --------------------------- <5> Exceptions apply for otherwise lawful possession in a private residence: (More) SB 473 (Block) PageK enhancement of three years: The enhancement applies if the crime was committed when the school is open for classes or school-related activities, or when minors are using the facility. The bill "does not require physical presence on school grounds or within 1,000 feet of school grounds." RECEIVERSHIP/OVERCROWDING CRISIS AGGRAVATION For the last several years, severe overcrowding in California's prisons has been the focus of evolving and expensive litigation relating to conditions of confinement. On May 23, 2011, the United States Supreme Court ordered California to reduce its prison population to 137.5 percent of design capacity within two years from the date of its ruling, subject to the right of the state to seek modifications in appropriate circumstances. Beginning in early 2007, Senate leadership initiated a policy to hold legislative proposals which could further aggravate the prison overcrowding crisis through new or expanded felony prosecutions. Under the resulting policy known as "ROCA" (which stands for "Receivership/ Overcrowding Crisis Aggravation"), the Committee held measures which created a new felony, expanded the scope or penalty of an existing felony, or otherwise increased the application of a felony in a manner which could exacerbate the prison overcrowding crisis. Under these principles, ROCA was applied as a content-neutral, provisional measure necessary to ensure that the Legislature did not erode progress towards reducing prison overcrowding by passing legislation which would increase the prison population. ROCA necessitated many hard and difficult decisions for the Committee. In January of 2013, just over a year after the enactment of the historic Public Safety Realignment Act of 2011, the State of California filed court documents seeking to vacate or modify the federal court order issued by the Three-Judge Court three years earlier to reduce the state's prison population to 137.5 percent of design capacity. The State submitted in part that the, ". . . population in the State's 33 prisons has been reduced by over (More) SB 473 (Block) PageL 24,000 inmates since October 2011 when public safety realignment went into effect, by more than 36,000 inmates compared to the 2008 population . . . , and by nearly 42,000 inmates since 2006 . . . ." Plaintiffs, who opposed the state's motion, argue in part that, "California prisons, which currently average 150% of capacity, and reach as high as 185% of capacity at one prison, continue to deliver health care that is constitutionally deficient." In an order dated January 29, 2013, the federal court granted the state a six-month extension to achieve the 137.5 % prisoner population cap by December 31st of this year. In an order dated April 11, 2013, the Three-Judge Court denied the state's motions, and ordered the state of California to "immediately take all steps necessary to comply with this Court's . . . Order . . . requiring defendants to reduce overall prison population to 137.5% design capacity by December 31, 2013." The ongoing litigation indicates that prison capacity and related issues concerning conditions of confinement remain unresolved. However, in light of the real gains in reducing the prison population that have been made, although even greater reductions are required by the court, the Committee will review each ROCA bill with more flexible consideration. The following questions will inform this consideration: whether a measure erodes realignment; whether a measure addresses a crime which is directly dangerous to the physical safety of others for which there is no other reasonably appropriate sanction; whether a bill corrects a constitutional infirmity or legislative drafting error; whether a measure proposes penalties which are proportionate, and cannot be achieved through any other reasonably appropriate remedy; and whether a bill addresses a major area of public safety or criminal activity for which there is no other reasonable, appropriate remedy. COMMENTS (More) SB 473 (Block) PageM 1. Need for This Bill According to the author: SB 473 adds pimping, pandering, and human trafficking to the list of crimes used to enhance penalties for persons affiliated with a criminal street gang. The bill also creates a "safe school zone" by increasing sentences for convictions of prostitution related crimes that occur within 1,000 feet of a school. The definition of a criminal street gang triggers enhanced penalties and bail, affects probation and parole conditions, augments law enforcement tools, and affects the way the case is handled by all stakeholders in the system. Pimping, pandering, and human trafficking is increasing at an alarming rate across the country as well as in San Diego. Criminal street gangs have embraced pimping, and human trafficking as a new revenue booster; as it now rivals narcotic sales as a major source of funding for many gangs. This crime targets our most vulnerable youth, who are often recruited within the walls of the schools they attend. The Department of State's "Trafficking in Person Report 2010" includes the United States in its rankings for the first time in its 10 year history showing the U.S. as a growing magnet for traffickers to conduct their business. The Central Intelligence Agency estimated that approximately 15,000 to 17,500 men, women and children are trafficked into the U.S. every year, making the U.S. one of the top three trafficking destinations along with Japan and Australia. California, New York, Texas and Nevada are the top destination states in the country. States such as California, Florida, and New York are (More) SB 473 (Block) PageN particularly vulnerable to human trafficking because of factors such as: proximity to international borders, number of ports and airports, significant immigrant population, and large economy that includes industries that attract forced labor. 2. Under Existing Law, a Defendant Who Commits Gang-Related Human Trafficking or Pimping and Pandering is Subject to Substantially Enhanced Sentences Under existing law, once the existence of the gang is shown through a pattern of predicate crimes, a defendant who commits any crime at the direction of, in association with, or for the benefit of a gang will receive substantially enhanced penalties. Further, one need not be a gang member to receive gang penalties. A non-gang member who commits a crime in association with others who are gang members will receive a gang punishment, as long as the crime promotes criminal conduct by gang members. In order for this bill to actually affect gang prosecutions, the bill would have to apply to an entity with a name and identifying symbols that engages in human trafficking or pimping and pandering, but not other offenses listed as predicate gang crimes, such as robbery, murder, burglary, rape, credible threats of death or serious injury, possession of a concealable firearm, or any of the 33 other predicate crimes. A person convicted of human trafficking would often be convicted in that same case of a predicate gang crime, such as kidnapping or witness intimidation. As such, it may be unlikely that this bill, when applied in practice, would result in a true expansion of the gang laws or an increase in gang prosecutions. AS EXISTING LAW PROVIDES THAT A DEFENDANT WHO ENGAGES IN GANG-RELATED HUMAN TRAFFICKING OR PIMPING AND PANDERING IS SUBJECT TO AN ENHANCEMENT OF TWO, FOUR OR TEN YEARS, IN ADDITION TO THE PENALTY FOR THE UNDERLYING CONVICTION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, IS THIS BILL NECESSARY IN ORDER TO (More) SB 473 (Block) PageO ADEQUATELY PROSECUTE AND PUNISH GANG MEMBERS FOR SUCH CRIMES? 3. Expansion of Gang Statutes over Time - Predicate Offenses The California Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act (STEP Act) was passed in 1988. The legislative findings as to the purpose of the STEP Act stated: "[I]t is the right of every person . . . to be secure and protected from fear, intimidation, and physical harm caused by the activities of violent groups and individuals." (Pen. Code § 186.21, italics added.) Amendments increasing the predicate crimes and penalties have been steadily added to this law. The original predicate offenses included assault (Pen. Code § 245) robbery, unlawful homicide or manslaughter, trafficking in controlled substances, shooting at an inhabited vehicle (added in 1991), arson and witness intimidation. Over this time, the offenses of grand theft of a vehicle, grand theft exceeding $10,000, burglary, rape, looting, money laundering, kidnapping, mayhem, torture, felony extortion, felony vandalism and carjacking, firearm trafficking and handgun possession, criminal threats (Pen Code § 422) and theft or taking of a vehicle. Proposition 21 (March 2000 primary election) greatly increased the enhancement imposed where a defendant committed a felony for the benefit of a gang. SB 444 (Ackerman), Chapter 482, Statutes of 2005, added access card theft and related crimes to the predicate gang crimes list. (A pattern of committing access card crimes cannot alone establish the existence of a gang. The pattern must be shown by access card crimes and commission of at least one other predicate gang offense.) (More) 4. Prison Term Enhancement for Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Crimes Occurring on or near a School - Some Offenses are Jail Felonies; Application of Provision stating that Physical Presence on or near School need not be Proved Vague and Ambiguous Laws are Unconstitutional A vague term is unconstitutional because it fails to give adequate notice to a defendant of what behavior is prohibited. The California Supreme Court in People v. McCoy (2002) 27 Cal.4th 601, 634, has reiterated the rule: A statute that either forbids or requires the doing of an act in "terms so vague that men of common intelligence must necessarily guess at its meaning and differ as to its application violates the first essential of due process of law." (Connally v. General Const. Co. (1926) 269 U.S. 385, 391.) The basic premise of the void-for-vagueness doctrine is that "[n]o one may be required at peril of life, liberty or property to speculate as to the meaning of penal statutes." (Lanzetta v. New Jersey (1939) 306 U.S. 451, 453.) Ambiguity as to how a Prison Term Enhancement Applies to a Crime Punishable by a Felony Jail Sentence The bill defines a new prison term sentence enhancement of three years for defendants convicted of human trafficking, prostitution and related sexual exploitation crimes that occur within 1,000 feet of school grounds. However, some of the underlying offenses to which the enhancement applies are subject to the realignment jail felony term provisions in Penal Code Section 1170, subdivision (h). The specification of a prison term enhancement for crimes that are punishable by a jail term sentence creates an inherent ambiguity or conflict in the statute that would have to be (More) SB 473 (Block) PageQ interpreted by the courts. It could be argued that the enhancement only applies if the defendant must be sentenced to prison, regardless of whether the underlying is a jail felony. Specified defendants are not eligible for a jail felony term, including defendants convicted of serious, violent or sex offense. It could be argued that the enhancement applies to any defendant convicted of any qualifying crime, regardless of where his or her term is served. That would essentially create a jail term enhancement. SHOULD THE BILL BE AMENDED TO CLARIFY HOW THE ENHANCEMENT FOR CRIMES COMMITTED ON OR NEAR SCHOOL GROUNDS APPLIES TO SENTENCES IMPOSED PURSUANT TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REALIGNMENT? Vagueness and Ambiguity Concerns: Physical Presence on or near School Grounds not Required for the Enhancement to Apply The bill states: "A violation of this section does not require physical presence on school grounds or within 1,000 feet of school grounds." This provision is arguably vague and ambiguous. It appears likely that the provision concerning physical presence is intended to state that the perpetrator need not be within 1,000 feet of school grounds to be subject to this enhancement. However, the bill does not make this entirely clear. Perhaps the bill could be amended to provide that the prosecution need not prove that the defendant (the perpetrator or any principal in the crime) was physically present on school grounds or within 1,000 feet of school grounds. SHOULD THE BILL BE AMENDED TO CLARIFY THAT THE PROSECUTION NEED NOT PROVE THAT THE DEFENDANT WAS ON OR NEAR SCHOOL GROUNDS? *************** SB 473 (Block) PageR