Santa Cruz’s Repeat Offender Problem

Santa Cruz County’s new chief probation officer Fernando Giraldo is trying to secure funding for treatment of criminals who get rehab instead of jail time under Prop. 36. Photo by Chip Scheuer.

Paul M. Marigonda, presiding judge for Santa Cruz Superior Court, has heard what people say about him and his colleagues. Public Safety Task Force members pressured judges to get tougher on criminals last year, and activists from the Santa Cruz Hall of Shame have criticized the court for supposedly creating a “revolving door” for repeat offenders.

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