People v. Oates

Opinion

CHIN, J.

Penal Code section 12022.53, which is also known as the 10-20-life law, prescribes substantial sentence enhancements for using a firearm in the commission of certain listed felonies.1 Subdivision (b) of the statute provides for an additional and consecutive 10-year prison term for anyone convicted of a listed felony “who, in the commission of’ that felony, “personally uses a firearm” (hereafter subdivision (b) enhancement). Subdivision (c) of the statute increases the added penalty to 20 years if the criminal “personally and intentionally discharges a firearm” in the commission…