Part 3/8:

As the discussion unfolded, the details surrounding Proposition 36 were revealed. The law, passed by a significant majority of Californian voters, aimed to address crime more harshly, encouraging punitive measures against petty theft. It quantified theft by introducing an aggregate total for stolen goods, ultimately changing how criminal justice handled shoplifting cases. The consequences of this law demonstrate a response to increasing theft rates, particularly in retail settings, where incidents have skyrocketed.