The State - News from July 18, 1989

State Sen. Edward R. Royce (R-Anaheim) joined a coalition of crime victims’ groups Monday to formally launch a petition drive to place a criminal-justice initiative on the ballot next June. The initiative, derived from Royce’s unsuccessful attempts to change the court system through the Legislature, would change trial procedures to speed criminal trials and would seek to ensure that death sentences are carried out without unnecessary delays. Royce said that if voters are given the chance, “I have no doubt that the will of the people for judicial reform, tougher sentences, an effective death penalty and equal treatment for the victims of crime will prevail.” The measure is being sponsored by the Crime Victims’ California Justice Committee, which has until Nov. 6 to gather the 600,000 signatures necessary to qualify the initiative on the June, 1990, ballot.