Judge Blocks California Governor's Prison Plan

(AP) - The Latest on arguments seeking to block Gov. Jerry Brown's prison initiative (all times local):

5:40 p.m. A Sacramento County superior court judge says California's attorney general abused her discretion by allowing Gov. Jerry Brown to amend a proposed initiative.

Judge Shelleyanne Chang made the ruling Wednesday that blocked Brown's proposed ballot initiative to reduce California's prison population. She ordered the attorney general not to issue documents - the title of the initiative and a summary of what it would do - that would let supporters begin gathering signatures.

She says Brown's amendments radically change the focus of the original initiative without allowing for necessary public comment as the Legislature intended when it set the rules.

The ruling could delay signature-gathering for Brown's initiative beyond this year and possibly push it to 2018.

Attorney James Harrison argued on behalf of the original proponents who allowed Brown to alter their measure.

He says proponents will immediately appeal.

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5:10 p.m. A judge has blocked Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed ballot initiative to reduce California's prison population.

Prosecutors sued to prevent Attorney General Kamala Harris from issuing the title and summary that would let supporters begin gathering signatures.

Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Shelleyanne Chang ruled Wednesday that Brown wrongly bypassed the normal filing process.

The Democratic governor amended an existing initiative about juveniles being tried as adults, adding a proposal to increase sentencing credits for adult inmates and allow earlier parole for non-violent felons.

Chang sided with the California District Attorneys Association, which argued that Brown should file a new initiative instead of amending an existing proposal.

The ruling could delay signature-gathering for Brown's initiative beyond this year. Attorney James Harrison, argued that it would force the initiative to 2018.

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1:00 a.m. A judge is considering whether to block Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed ballot initiative to reduce California's prison population.

Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Shelleyanne Chang scheduled a hearing Wednesday after the California District Attorneys Association sued.

The prosecutors want Chang to prevent Attorney General Kamala Harris from issuing the title and summary for a proposal that they say bypassed the normal filing process.

That would force Brown to file a new initiative instead of amending an existing proposal. It would delay when supporters can begin collecting signatures to put the measure before voters in November.

The original initiative stripped prosecutors of their power to decide if juveniles should be tried in adult court. Brown amended it to increase sentencing credits for adult inmates and allow earlier parole for non-violent felons.