The Three Strike Law
The Three Strike Law
The policy that I have chosen to discuss is the three strike law. The three strike law was created to handle problems that occurred with habitual offenders. Commonly known in the 1990’s era the three strike law increased prisons sentences of habitual offenders. The three strike law is a statue that allows the courts to impose harsh sentences such as life sentences to individuals who are convicted of three or more major criminal offenses. Habitual criminals automatically qualify for the three strike law because of the number of felonies they have committed. When habitual criminals receive mandatory life sentences, they are not overruled by other judges. I found this to be very interesting. The three strike law is enacted throughout the United States to address repeat criminal offenders. Habitual criminals are more than likely sentenced to prison for life. One of the major reasons that habitual criminals are treated this way is because they create a serious threat to the environment and society. Although it seems as if habitual criminals are treated harshly, they can petition for a review of his or her case with the Supreme Judicial Court. Crimes that are on the felony level qualify as serious offenses or as crimes that could receive life sentences. The following are crimes that qualify as violent and serious crimes: Murder, rape, robbery of residence that involve deadly weapons, and assault with intent to commit murder are all considered to be felony crimes. Problems more than likely occur for felons when they have been convicted for crimes such as these before. The law states that felons are eligible for twenty-five to life sentences after their third felony. For example, if a felon has already been convict of two felonies, he would be a three time felon who would qualify for the three strike law. Individuals who are found guilty are normally given parole possibilities with their life sentences. The three strike law was originally created
The policy that I have chosen to discuss is the three strike law. The three strike law was created to handle problems that occurred with habitual offenders. Commonly known in the 1990’s era the three strike law increased prisons sentences of habitual offenders. The three strike law is a statue that allows the courts to impose harsh sentences such as life sentences to individuals who are convicted of three or more major criminal offenses. Habitual criminals automatically qualify for the three strike law because of the number of felonies they have committed. When habitual criminals receive mandatory life sentences, they are not overruled by other judges. I found this to be very interesting. The three strike law is enacted throughout the United States to address repeat criminal offenders. Habitual criminals are more than likely sentenced to prison for life. One of the major reasons that habitual criminals are treated this way is because they create a serious threat to the environment and society. Although it seems as if habitual criminals are treated harshly, they can petition for a review of his or her case with the Supreme Judicial Court. Crimes that are on the felony level qualify as serious offenses or as crimes that could receive life sentences. The following are crimes that qualify as violent and serious crimes: Murder, rape, robbery of residence that involve deadly weapons, and assault with intent to commit murder are all considered to be felony crimes. Problems more than likely occur for felons when they have been convicted for crimes such as these before. The law states that felons are eligible for twenty-five to life sentences after their third felony. For example, if a felon has already been convict of two felonies, he would be a three time felon who would qualify for the three strike law. Individuals who are found guilty are normally given parole possibilities with their life sentences. The three strike law was originally created
Cited: Cbemerinsky, Erwin. "Is California 's "Three Strikes" Mandatory Sentencing Law "Cruel And Unusual Punishment"? PRO." Supreme Court Debates 5.9 (2002): 264. Academic Search Complete. Web. 12 Sept. 2012. Reed, Sarah Maureen. "Sentencing And Punishment--Cruel And Unusual Punishment: The United States Supreme Court Upholds California 's Three Strikes Law, Ruling The Law Does Not Violate The Eighth Amendment 's Prohibition On Cruel And Unusual Punishment." North Dakota Law Review 80.3 (2004): 497-533. Academic Search Complete. Web. 12 Sept. 2012. Romano, Michael. "Striking Back: Using Death Penalty Cases To Fight Disproportionate Sentences Imposed Under California 's Three Strikes Law." Stanford Law & Policy Review 21.2 (2010): 311-348. Academic Search Complete. Web. 12 Sept. 2012.