What Are Some Impacts Of the “Three Strikes” Law On the Local Justice System?
• The impact of “Three Strikes” varies substantially among counties. • Many large counties–but not all–are reporting significant increases in criminal justice workloads as a consequence of the “Three Strikes” law. • Variation in criminal justice impacts is not uncommon, given that there is significant flexibility in the local criminal justice system. • Variation should be expected, given that the law provides significant discretion to prosecutors on charging of “Three Strikes” cases. • Thousands of cases are being prosecuted. • Many thousands of second- and third-strike cases have been or are currently being prosecuted statewide. • Most of these cases probably would have been prosecuted even without the law. • Fewer offenders are pleading guilty. • Although more than 90 percent of all felony cases are disposed of through plea bargaining in which the defendant ultimately agrees to plead guilty, many fewer offenders are agreeing to plead guilty in “Three Strikes” cases, presumably beca
