FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2018
Welcome Our Newly Elected Local 685 Executive Board!
Assessor Jeffrey Prang Explains How Homeowners Can Save on Taxes
Homeowners are failing to claim $30 million in available property tax exemptions every year, says Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang. Prang urges homeowners to apply for an exemption that reduces assessed values by $7,000, cutting annual property tax bills by $70 to $80. An estimated 450,000 homeowners do not take advantage of the home tax exemption, according to the assessor. New homeowners will automatically receive the exemption form by mail.
 
There is no filing fee, so homeowners should be aware of scams offering to help with filing for a fee.
 
The deadline for a full exemption is Feb. 15, 2018.  A form can be  found online  or requested by calling (213) 974-3211 or emailing  helpdesk@assessor.lac
New Juvenile Justice Laws Have Been Implemented for Youth in 2018

Right to Sealing of Arrest Records When Not Convicted - CA Senate Bill 393

Senate Bill 393 makes it legal for eligible individuals to have their records sealed if the arrest did not result in a conviction. Once the record is sealed, the crime is deemed not to have occurred. The bill does not extend this "right" to seal records to some individuals -- such as those with patterns of domestic violence or convictions. However, those who are ineligible can also petition the court to seal their record. The bill also makes it a civil penalty for authorities or individuals to disclose information about sealed arrest records.

Sealing Reduced Misdemeanor Offenses  - CA Senate Bill 312

Senate Bill 312 now requires the court to seal the juvenile record of a minor if the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor. The criminal record may be accessed by probation authorities or prosecutors at a later time if the minor commits a new felony offense.

Sealing Records on Dismissed Probationary Petitions - CA Assembly Bill 529

Under existing law, a minor who commits a crime is subject to jurisdiction of the juvenile court. The court may rule that the juvenile is a ward of the court per the request of the prosecuting attorney or probation officer. A judge may dismiss this request if it is in the best interest of the welfare of the minor, or if the minor is not in need of treatment or rehabilitation.

As of January 1, the court is required to seal all juvenile records containing a dismissed petition. The bill makes it mandatory for probation authorities to seal a juvenile record upon satisfactory completion of a diversion program. Prosecutors are able review and use sealed records for the purpose of refilling a petition within a six-month timeframe if new circumstances arise.

Juvenile Custodial Interrogation Rights - CA Senate Bill 395

Under existing law, minors taken into custody must be advised that anything they say during interrogation may be used against him or her, they have the right to remain silent, and have a right to legal counsel. Previously, children of any age could waive these rights before speaking to a lawyer or before a parent was present. Under Senate Bill 395, minors under the age of 15 are legally required to consult with legal counsel prior to interrogation before waiving their rights. 

Juvenile Sentencing of 'Life Without the Possibility of Parole' - CA Senate Bill 394

Among certain other parole reforms, Senate Bill 394 eliminates juvenile sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The bill makes it possible for juveniles who have been previously sentenced to life in prison without parole eligible for release on parole after their twenty-fifth year in prison.

Youth Honorable Discharge of Probation - CA Senate Bill 625

Youth who successfully complete probation will qualify for the possibility of an honorable discharge 18 months after their release date. The bill makes it mandatory for youth who have been previously under court supervision to be made aware of this eligibility. The honorable discharge removes some disqualification consequences related to education, employment, and professional licensing that often accompany a conviction.
The Chaplain is a Deputy Probation Officer
Even at a young age, Deputy Probation Officer Willie Riley had aspirations of being a Chaplain. When the opportunity presented itself, DPO Riley volunteered to be assigned to the AB109 Mobile Resource Center, which was attached to the LAPD Central Station in Skid Row. He collaborated and worked with the LAPD Homeless Unit to identify AB109 probationers and connect them to necessary services.
 
He passionately took on the task of educating himself by taking the Billy Graham "Rapid Response Team Training Course for Churches." He received the Pastoral Crisis Counseling Certification from Homeland Crisis Training.

DPO Riley was also ordained as a Minister by The Universal Life Church, from which he received his Credentials of Ministry.
 
He has successfully completed The California Law Enforcement Chaplain Consortium-Law Enforcement Chaplaincy. This course includes instruction in the philosophy of chaplaincy, core values, roles and responsibilities, legal and ethical issues, law enforcement culture, crisis intervention, grief, bereavement counseling, death notification, and multi-cultural competency.
 
Now, DPO Riley applies all of this knowledge as he continues to visit Central Station on his days off. He recently took the LAPD "Peer Support Member" course, taught by a team of LAPD psychologists. He had almost completed his two-year probation period to become an LAPD Chaplain when the head Chaplain fast-tracked DPO Riley, explaining that he needed to "press him into service" now. 
 
The LAPD holds their Employment Assistance Unit (EAU) in high regard. "Employee Assistance at LAPD has several programs under one umbrella, offering services such as Peer Support, Chaplain Services, Financial Counseling, and Return to Work. It is a large unit that also contains a division that coordinates with other police departments on funerals and other issues that some departments don't have as much knowledge about as the LAPD does," explains DPO Riley. DPO Riley goes on the proclaim: "The Chaplain motto is 'We serve those who protect'."
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January
Stewards' Council Meeting
January 25; 7:30 PM

February
General Membership Meeting
February 8; 7:30 PM

Stewards' Council Meeting
February 22; 7:30 PM

Pursuant to our Local 685 Constitution, the General Membership meeting has been fixed on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Union Hall (except November and December/1st Thursday of the month):

AFSCME Local 685
3701 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 510
Los Angeles, CA 90010

MEMBER BENEFITS
AFSCME Advantage

Being an AFSCME member doesn’t only get you an advantage at the bargaining table – it also gets you access to discounts and benefits that can help make life a little easier.

  • Auto Advantage
  • Scholarships
  • Health Services
  • House & Home
  • Insurance
  • Legal
  • Money & Credit
  • Travel
  • Union Shopping