How has section 667.5(b) of the California Criminal Code been interpreted and interpreted by the courts?

We observed in Brosnahan v. Brown (1982) 32 Cal.3d 236, 247, 186 Cal.Rptr. 30, 651 P.2d 274, that the changes enacted pursuant to Proposition 8 were aimed, inter alia, "at achieving more severe punishment for, and more effective deterrence of, criminal acts. " (Italics added.) This general concern with increased punishment and effective deterrence was to be furthered in part by increasing the total period of imprisonment for recidivist offenders. The above conclusion is apparent not only from the voters' enactment of the "without limitation" language in article I, section 28, subdivision (f), but also from the initiative's simultaneous adoption of section 667, which imposes a mandatory five-year enhancement for each prior "serious felony" conviction. ⁷ Exempting section 667.5(b)

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