Abstract

The paper discusses about the impact of three strike law and how it has worked out. The purpose of these laws was to increase the length of time that dangerous offenders such as rapists and murderers spent in prison for a third felony. In today's world, system of criminal justice wants to do many things, thereby, enforcing sentences and punishments. If facts are to be considered in measuring the effectiveness of implementing this law, a few in the initial months after this law, identifies the complexities faced in implementing it; however, the post implementation effects are evidence of its success.

Three Strikes Law

Introduction

Few criminal justice policies suggest more debate and discussion than the enhanced sentencing provisions commonly referred to as “three strikes and you're out” laws. These laws have become a point of argument for criminal justice practitioners, activists, researchers, and attorneys relating to the justice and injustice of these sentence enhancements. The three-strikes sentencing policies, which became popular in the United States in the mid-1990s, enhances the punishment for repeating offenders by triggering a mandatory prison sentence for those individuals who have previously been convicted of a violent or serious felony; the sentence is significantly higher for repeat offenders versus first-time offenders committing the same act. It is a fact that from 1993 to 1996, 24 states and the federal government has passed three-strikes provisions in response to the supposed increase in violent crime in the United States, although whether violent crime had actually been increasing during this time has been called into question. Thus, the habitual offender laws were not new to the American criminal justice system, and many states already had provisions in place increasing the punishment for repeat offenders. Despite this, lobbyists and politicians still opted for introducing new three-strikes laws in connection with the popular slogan to their state legislatures (Johnson, pp 34).

The function of all these laws was to increase the length of time so that the dangerous offenders for example, the murderers and rapists spent in prison for a third felony. The provisions or necessity for the implication of the three-strikes laws vary from state to state, with California's version of the law providing the harshest penalty for repeat offenders, despite of whether or not the third felony was violent or serious.

Thesis statement

How the three strike law is being successful in crime control violation.

Discussion and Analysis

As a result of the increasing number of violent crimes in the United States, the state government passed a new law named The Three Strikes Law and you are out. It is a criminal sentencing law that, after its announcement received a high level of support from voter. This law marked a momentous change in the history of criminal justice system. Proposition 184 and Chapter 12 are the most considerable provisions for prison sentencing; moreover, amendments can be made in this Legislature subject to the accessibility of two-third vote.

As a result, of passing this law, the prison sentences has been increased to a significant level, for those ...