Single mother, convicted felon hopes for second chance under Prop 47

COMPTON, Calif. (KABC) -- Amie Zuniga is pinning her hopes for a brighter future on a handful of paperwork. The single mother of six has two felony theft-related convictions on her record, but hopes that by filing a petition under a new state law, she'll be able to get a second chance at life.

Proposition 47 allows certain felony drug and theft convictions to be reduced to misdemeanors.

Zuniga says she's no longer the troubled, drug-addicted teen that got into trouble.

"My past was my past. I did some things that were wrong, and it's not who I am anymore. I look forward to being a soccer mom and working in the medical field and just being a citizen," Zuniga said.

While working at Homeboy Industries, Zuniga went to school to become a certified medical assistant. But with her felony convictions for possession of stolen property, she says it's hard to get a job in the medical field.

That's why she was in line Wednesday with her attorney to file her Proposition 47 petition to have her past felony convictions reduced to misdemeanors.

More than 300,000 people in Southern California are expected to be eligible for the program. Applicants don't need an attorney to apply.

"It's very simple to file a Proposition 47 petition. Folks can just go to the website of the county court where they were sentenced. They do need to file the petition at the actual courthouse where they were sentenced," attorney Aubrey Cunningham said.

Zuniga says she'll be notified in a few weeks on the judge's ruling. In the meantime, she says she's come a long way from her troubled past.

"My kids are proud to say I'm their mom now.

She's hoping the judge will see it that way too.