The Three Strikes Law

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the three strikes law whereby a third felony conviction brings a mandatory sentence with no parole possible for a long period of time. The paper explains that critics of the three strikes law most frequently oppose it because the law allows for a non-violent third strike, has high costs and means an increase in the prison population. The writer contends that what critics should really be concerned about is the high rate of repeat offenders, the high cost of crime and the desirability of letting violent offenders roam free versus sit in prison. The writer admits that prison populations have increased and there are more elderly prisoners. The writer maintains that this means that the three strikes law is meeting its objective of finally putting the guilty where they belong and for a very long time.

From the Paper:

"Unfortunately, it seems nearly impossible to avoid becoming a victim of crime in our country. Personally, I have had my car stolen and seriously damaged and my apartment broken into with items of high emotional value taken from me. And, who hasn't experience fear at some time or other when they are walking down the street minding their own business only to be intimidated by some bully or thug? Thus, it's extraordinarily frustrating to see the same individuals churn through the justice system only to commit the same or worse acts time after time. California, one of the first implementers of the three strikes laws, has a sixty percent recidivism rate for some of its most serious crimes."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Briggs, J. Tragic blindness. Stanford University. Retrieved May 6, 2006 from Web site: http://www.stanford.edu/group/Thinker/v1/v1n4/Briggs.html
• Imhoff, V. and Rosenbaum, C. (2005, October, 24) Three-strikes law costs too much, ruins too many lives. Los Angeles Daily Journal. Retrieved May 6, 2006 from Web site: http://www.cochranfirm.com/resource/article_detail.asp?id=7&article=30
• Rosenblum, J. A necessary remedy. Stanford University. Retrieved May 6, 2006 from Web site: http://www.stanford.edu/group/Thinker/v1/v1n4/Rosenblum.html
• Schultz, E.J. (2006, April 17). Battle lines being drawn in new fight over 'Three Strikes' law. The Fresno Bee. Retrieved May 6, 2006 from Web site: http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/12064424p-12819177c.html
• Three strikes law. Wikipedia. Retrieved May 6, 2006 from Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_strikes_law

More papers on The Three Strikes Law:

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

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