"THREE STRIKES" LEGISLATION IN CALIFORNIA
B. Definition of "three strikes" concept.
II. MOTIVATION FOR THREE STRIKES LEGISLATION.
D. Reaction in the California state legislature.
F. Motivations of Democrat leaders in the Assembly.
G. Enactment of the "three strikes" amendment to the California Penal Code.
H. Ballot qualification of the Reynolds proposition.
III. THE "THREE STRIKES" AMENDMENT TO THE CALIFORNIA PENAL CODE.
IV. ASSESSMENT OF THREE STRIKES LEGISLATION.
1. Punishment does not fit the crime.
2. Inclusion of non violent offense will overwhelm the court system.
4. Three strikes will motivate offenders to kill victims.
5. Increased incarceration is not an effective deterrent to criminal activity.
6. The three strikes concept will cause people to be incarcerated at state expense beyond the age that most people commit crimes.
V. ALTERNATIVES TO THE "THREE STRIKES" AMENDMENT TO THE PENAL CODE
"THREE STRIKES" LEGISLATION IN CALIFORNIA
This research examines the so-called "three strikes" legislation in the State of California. "Three strikes" refers to changes in criminal sentencing laws that are designed to keep repeat offenders incarcerated for longer periods than has been the general case in recent years.
The context of this examination is a policy review. Considered in the policy review are an (1) amendment to the California Penal Code that was enacted into law in March 1994, and which addressed "three strikes" issues, and (2) initiative propositions designed to address "three strikes" issues in ways somewhat at variance with the March 1994 legislation.
Motivation for Three Strikes Legislation
Kimber Reynolds was an 18 year old Fresno young woman (Three strikes, you're hoodwinked, 1994, p. 16). Kimber Reynolds was described as "lively, beautiful, and bright" (Three strikes, you're hoodwinked, 1994, p. 16). She was also pronounced dead after being shot by ...