Crime Law Initiative Signatures Turned In

Dozens of cartons overflowing with signed petitions supporting a ballot initiative that would toughen laws protecting victims of violent crime were presented to officials in Los Angeles County Monday.

Nearly 1 million signatures have been collected throughout the state, almost twice the number required to get the Criminal Justice Reform Initiative on the June, 1990, ballot, Kern County Dist. Atty. Edward Jagels said.

At a presentation at the Los Angeles County registrar of voters’ office, about 50 boxes filled with petitions containing about 292,000 signatures were turned over as several members of victims’ families cheered.

The initiative, sponsored by state Sen. Ed Royce (R-Orange County), includes a provision allowing victims to demand a speedy trial for defendants, increases penalties for murderers and makes jury selection a duty of the judge rather than attorneys.