The California Judges Association, which almost never takes a position on state propositions, has put out the media release below:

The California Judges Association has taken the extraordinarily rare action of stating a formal position on a statewide ballot measure. The Judges Association announced today its formal opposition to Proposition 5 on this November's ballot. The Judges Association, which represents 1,685 judges in California's courtrooms, joins a rapidly growing and diverse list of opponents to this sweeping and immensely important initiative.

Judge Mary Wiss, President of the California Judges Association, issued the following statement on behalf of the Association:

"We are taking this rare and extraordinary action because Proposition 5 will have a tremendously negative impact on the administration of justice in California. I cannot emphasize enough how severe a threat this measure poses to the ability of the courts to fulfill their basic responsibilities.

"California courts cannot afford Proposition 5. It will financially crush the courts. In Los Angeles alone implementing Proposition 5 is expected to cost the court an additional $63 million. The court budgets have been slashed for the coming year, and the Proposition fails to provide any means for the courts to carry out their mandates.

"California courts lack resources for Proposition 5. It will require massive increases in court hearings. Orange County anticipates an additional 200,000 court hearings per year, and Los Angeles estimates an additional 550,000 court hearings per year. Existing judicial resources and court staff cannot meet this demand. In counties such as Riverside, civil cases already must await years before a hearing. Proposition 5 will increase court congestion and make matters worse."

"Proposition 5 severely limits judicial discretion. It forces judges to adopt drug treatment plans that are not yet established or proven. Moreover, it prohibits judges from developing courses of action that are sensitive to the individual needs of people with drug-related problems who are going through probation and parole."

"The California Judges Association strongly urges a no vote on Proposition 5."