WHAT IS THE THREE STRIKES LAW?
The Three Strikes Law is a sentencing enhancement. It says that if you have one prior felony conviction (“one strike”) then the sentencing for your second felony conviction (“second strike”) can be doubled. It also says that if you have two prior felony convictions (“two strikes”) and are charged with an additional felony (“third strike”) you can be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Under the statute, only certain felony convictions may be considered, and the prosecution must prove your prior history.
Various state governments have enacted statutes—namely three strikes laws—that target habitual offenders. California’s three strikes law is the toughest in the nation. It mandates an extended (double) prison sentence for those with a prior conviction involving one serious or violent felony. If an individual has two prior convictions involving serious or violent felonies, then any subsequent felony conviction can result in a 25 to life, third strike sentence.
