Three Strikes Law

“Three strikes laws are a category of statutes enacted by state governments in the United States, beginning in the 1990s, which require courts to hand down a mandatory and typically extended period of incarceration to persons who have been convicted of a serious or violent criminal offense on three or more separate occasions” (Wikipedia).This law would give a mandatory 25 to life in prison. The three strikes law has sparked up controversy through many different court cases. 

There are several arguments that support and oppose this law. People who oppose this law may argue that prisons are filling up and more money is being spent on these prisons for repeat offenders. “Such laws are ultimately ineffective in dealing with crime and may in fact serve to perpetuate cycles of crime and violence” (Wikipedia).Violent felonies include murder, rape, lewd act on a child or teen, robbery, arson, sexual abuse, and out-of -state kidnapping. 

Serious felonies include those of the violent felonies plus grand theft exploding destructive devices, burglary, and an attempt to commit a crime. In contrary, people who support the three strikes law may argue that repeat offenders would be kept off the streets while saving money in the long run, criminals serve their time rather then getting off easy, and justice would be served even if the system fails making sure that repeat offenders don’t slip through the system. In my opinion the argument that supports the three strikes law is relevant with my standpoint.