{"id":352331,"date":"2023-09-13T21:57:47","date_gmt":"2023-09-14T02:57:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/three-strikes-sentencing-laws.html"},"modified":"2023-09-13T21:57:47","modified_gmt":"2023-09-14T02:57:47","slug":"three-strikes-sentencing-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/three-strikes-sentencing-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"‘Three Strikes’ Sentencing Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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'Three Strikes' Sentencing Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Three strikes laws target habitual offenders with a long criminal history. After too many violent offenses, the penalties will be harsher. Usually, this includes life in prison.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

The goal of this law is to keep the public safe by locking up repeat offenders of serious crimes. These crimes include offenses like first-degree murder rather than simple misdemeanors. In turn, the crime rate was predicted to decrease.<\/p>\r\n

The criminal justice system’s three strikes\u00a0offender laws raise questions for people facing felony accusations. Any case when a person could lose their freedom forever is worth the utmost consideration. See how the law can affect someone charged with their first, second, or third felony.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Because every felony is serious and the penalties can increase, getting a strong legal defense is critical. Talk to a criminal law attorney<\/a>, especially if you have prior convictions on your record.<\/p>\r\n

Origin of the Three Strikes Laws<\/h2>\r\n

The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994\u00a0requires mandatory life imprisonment<\/a>\u00a0for certain convicted felons found guilty in federal court of a serious violent offense. States then began to enact statutes based on this federal law. California, for example, enacted the\u00a0"Three Strikes and You’re Out" law<\/a>\u00a0following the murders of Kimber Reynolds and Polly Klaas.<\/p>\r\n

A repeat offender may also receive a mandatory life sentence after two or more previous felony convictions in federal or state courts. At least one conviction must be a serious violent\u00a0felony<\/a>, and the other offense may be a serious drug offense. The\u00a0sentencing enhancements<\/a>\u00a0in this law can significantly impact repeat, violent offenders.<\/p>\r\n

Defining Serious Violent Felonies<\/h2>\r\n

The statute defines a\u00a0serious violent felony<\/a>\u00a0to include:<\/p>\r\n