Taken from the game of baseball, the law of three strikes operates under the saying “Three strikes and you’re out!” This harsh law means that offenders can be sentenced to life in prison for a crime as minor as petty theft, if they have two other convictions on their record. This law was enacted as a result of Proposition 184 introduced in 1994. In the 1990s, there were certain cases that prompted the creation of this law, including the murder of two girls by men who had already been convicted of a crime . It passed with an overwhelming majority, but unforeseen side effects have since emerged.

What are these unexpected and often tragic side effects? First, any serious crime can constitute a strike. Many believe that only serious crimes or violent crimes can cause a person to be sent to prison for life. Related to that, there are several crimes that are “wobblers,” crimes that are sometimes charged as felonies and other times as misdemeanors. However, those convicted can be given a strike for committing a wobbler offense. This law can also lead to unreasonable penalties. It has happened that a person was convicted of a third shoplifting attack only to receive a more severe sentence than a murder conviction. Another problem many legal professionals have with this law is that it may violate the Eighth Amendment which protects citizens from cruel and unusual punishment. It leaves the accused in a crowded prison system with no hope of rehabilitation.

As the law clearly states that anyone who has two or more offenses on their record should receive 25 years to life in prison, it is important that those who have been charged with a felony do everything in their power to defend themselves. Fortunately, with a strong legal advocate on your side, there are ways to fight your charges and avoid a conviction. It is always worth trying to fight this kind of conviction because the stakes are high. Even if you can’t get your charges dropped entirely, even reducing your felony to a misdemeanor means it won’t count as a misdemeanor on your record.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a three strikes offense and you are concerned that it may affect you under the Three Strikes Law, you should not waste time contacting a legal representative in your local area. Talking to someone with experience in this area of ​​the law could make all the difference in the outcome of your case.

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