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Three Strikes Law

Three Strikes Law 1

Running head: THREE STRIKES LAW

The Three Strikes Law
September 24, 2013
CJ526: Unit 2

Three Strikes Law 2

Three Strikes Law

The Three Strikes Law has been a subject of much debate since its introduction as a regulation in 1993. The Three Strikes law was enacted in 1994 and is widely recognized as the harshest sentencing law in the United States. “The State of Texas was the first State to enact such a law in 1974.” (Laws.com) California passed its own law enacting a Three Strikes Law that mandates a sentence of 25 years to life for a third felony conviction. The reality of the Three Strikes Law will lead to a significant increase in the nation's already swollen prison population and will cost taxpayers enormous amounts of money. This law is one of the most popular controversial laws because it imposes a mandatory life sentence without parole on offenders convicted of three or more crimes. “Reporters took notes and media crews collected sound bites as Republican Governor Pete Wilson signed into law this popular, yet controversial, sentencing measure.” (Reynolds, 2012)
The Three Strikes law is sentencing laws that mandate a prison sentence of 25 years to life for violent offenders who have been convicted of three or more offenses and is also a law that is codified in 26 states throughout the country and the federal government. It is the imposition of a life sentence for any felony conviction, no matter how minor the felony may be, if the defendant has two prior serious felony convictions. A third strike offense can be a simple drug possession or petty theft. The Three Strikes law also has a second strike provision, which doubles the sentence for any felony conviction if the defendant has one prior serious felony conviction. California’s Three Strikes Law is thought to be the most popular and have the most severe three strikes law in the nation.
Three Strikes Law 3

References: Peschong, J. A. (2012, April 9). Pro & Con: Three strikes law has been effective - why change? Retrieved September 24, 2013 from, The Tribune Reynolds, M. (2012, February 13). Three strikes and you 're out: Stop repeat offenders Retrieved September 21, 2013 from, Stanford Law School Website: www.law.stanford.edu/organizations/programs Taibbi, M. (2013, March 27). Cruel and unusual punishment: The shame of three strikes laws

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