Last week in Yolo County, four people were charged with Shoplifting with Two Priors, and two people were charged with Possession of Hard Drug with Two Priors, that mandates treatment. The charges are all felonies under Prop—36, which went into effect on Dec. 18.

Under the new law, defendants are held in custody until they go before a judge and/or required to post bail. Since the passing of Prop. 47 in 2014, these offenses were simply “cite and release” offenses with no real, meaningful consequences for the crimes committed.

According to a release from the Yolo County District Attorney’s office, the goal of Prop. 36 is to get treatment for those suffering from substance use disorders and those who habitually shoplift, often to support their substance addictions.

Since Dec. 18, the Yolo County District Attorney has charged a total of seven cases for shoplifting/ retail theft violations and 14 cases for possession of hard drugs.

“Yolo County voters, like all of California, voted overwhelmingly in support of Prop. 36, wanting to stop repeated theft and to get drug treatment to those suffering from addiction,” Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig stated. “We at the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office are fully implementing all aspects of Prop 36 and we are very optimistic that the results will be a better Yolo County.”