The ?3-Strikes? Law

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the 3-strikes law has created a dynamic within the criminal justice system that seeks to punish minor offenses, while shifting focus away from violent offenders. The author points out that, unlike other 3-strikes laws around the country, California?s is unique in that it permits a lifetime sentence for any third offense, even one that is non-violent by nature, includes juvenile adjudications of those 16 and 17 years of age, and does not provide a ?wash-out? period for long periods of time between offenses. The paper concludes that billions of dollars, nationally, have been thrown towards the 3-strikes legislation, but the intent of the law, to reduced crime, has not necessarily been achieved.

From the Paper:

"Finally, the 3-strikes rule is unfair in its application. Many argue criminal justice systems throughout the United States are discriminatory, but California's is blatantly so. The 3-strike law has had its most dramatic effect on California's African American population. While only 7% of the state's population is African American, more than 40% make up those convicted under the 3-strike law. Plus, the majority of offenses targeted by the law (robbery, possession of drugs, ect.) are offenses more commonly performed by minority and underrepresented groups."

More papers on The ?3-Strikes? Law:

• Analytical Essay # 132298 : "The Three Strikes Law and its Failure in the U.S."
• Persuasive Essay # 94194 : "The Three Strikes Law"
• Argumentative Essay # 119359 : "The Three Strikes Law"
• Term Paper # 102454 : "The 'Three Strikes' Law in the United States - a Critique"

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