The Three Strike Law Does It Actually Work Essay

The Three Strike Law: Does it Actually Work? By Marissa Smith United States throughout history has tried many different ways to deter criminals from committing crime. One of the more famous polices enforced was the Three Strikes sentencing laws, and other â€Å"get tough† approaches. In 1994, the Three Strikes sentencing law was first established (Couzens, J. Richards and Tricia A. Bigelow). The law stated that any defendant convicted of any new felony, having been convicted before of a serious felony to be sentenced to state prison for twice the term otherwise given for the crime. If the defendant was convicted of any felony with two or more prior strikes, the law mandated a state prison term of at least 25 years to life (Couzens, J. Richards and Tricia A. Bigelow). In California and Washington, the three strike law was adopted and in both states showed contradictive results. It has become a very controversial form of deterrence and is widely debated if the three strikes sentencing laws actually deter criminals from committing crimes. In several different states what actually counts as a strike against an offender varies dramatically (Clark, John). Violent felonies are typically counted as a strike offense; these include murder, rape, robbery, arson, aggravated assault, and carjacking (Clark, John). Although violent felonies are not the only offenses counted (Clark, John). In Indiana and Louisiana the sale of drugs can be considered a strike offense andShow MoreRelatedProblems with the Three Strikes Laws Essays1502 Words   |  7 Pagesmost controversial laws in the efforts to reduce crime has been the three-strikes laws that have been enacted. This law, which is already in twenty-seven states, requires that offenders convicted of three violent crimes be sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole. 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