SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The California Supreme Court has expanded the scope of a ballot measure that limits prosecutors from charging juveniles with crimes in adult court.
The court ruled unanimously Thursday that Proposition 57 applies to cases that were pending before it took effect. The justices said voters appeared to want to extend the measure as broadly as possible.
Proposition 57, approved in 2016, requires judges instead of prosecutors to decide whether criminal cases belong in juvenile or adult court. Penalties can be more severe in adult court.
It was not immediately clear how many cases would be affected.
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The court ruled on the Riverside County case of a juvenile charged as an adult with kidnapping and sexual assault.
A spokesperson for the district attorney’s office there did not immediately return an email.