California voters approved Proposition 36 to roll back soft-on-crime policies in Proposition 47, raising penalties for some crimes, including theft and drug offenses.

This proposition would allow for felony charges for certain drug and theft crimes if the defendant has two prior convictions for these offenses.

Now, certain drug offenses and thefts under $950 can be classified as felonies rather than misdemeanors if the suspected perpetrator has two or more past convictions for theft crimes.

Californians easily passed Proposition 36 Tuesday night, with more than 70% voting to strengthen penalties for retail and drug crimes that were downgraded a decade ago. Supporters say tougher consequences are needed to reduce homelessness, drug use and ...

California voters have passed Proposition 36, the Associated Press projects, approving changes that will roll back criminal justice reforms from a contentious 2014 ballot measure that lessened the penalties for some crimes including theft and drug possession.

Proposition 36 asks California voters to increase the penalties for fentanyl dealers and theft crimes by reclassifying some that are currently misdemeanors as felonies. See results here.