I am over 40 years old and was convicted on November 11, 1996, of petty theft and intent for forge.  Life is centered around making mistakes and learning from them to become a wiser, more mature human being.  I was in my twenties when I was picked up for petty theft.  Over the years the seriousness of my crimes decreased as is the case with many of us in here.  I am a creative human being desperately struggling to maintain the positive qualities instilled in me by my family.  It is my hope that California will feel our plight and our misery and act to change this senseless law.  There are over 4,200 of us serving 25+ years to LIFE for really minor offenses.