Prop 47 animated explainer: Criminal sentences, misdemeanor penalties

Prop 47 would reduce the penalty for most nonviolent crimes from a felony to a misdemeanor -- crimes like petty theft and certain drug possessions. Already convicted felons of these crimes would have the chance to be resentenced to lesser punishments and released from jail, as long as the courts don't think they pose a serious public safety risk.

Criminals who have committed violent crimes would not be affected by this prop -- they stay where they are no matter what.

A few years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court said that California's prisons are way overcrowded. Supporters believe that this prop will also help free up space in prisons.

If passed, money saved from keeping some of these nonviolent criminals out of jail will be redirected to K-12 education, victim services, and mental health and rehabilitation centers.

But opponents of the prop believe that releasing these criminals earlier than expected is a bad idea because they might still pose a risk to the public and commit more crimes, and just end up back in jail and hurting more people.

Voting YES means:

- You support reducing penalties and sentencing for nonviolent crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.

Voting NO means:

- You do not support reducing penalties and sentencing for nonviolent crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.