California's three-strikes law has been controversial since first implemented. The law is intended to target repeat offenders of violent crimes. On the third offense, a judge can sentence the criminal to a 25 years to life term. And literally hundreds of hardened criminals are in prison as a result of the three-strikes law.
But now a federal appeals court is challenging the law, calling it cruel and unusual punishment when the third offense is a nonviolent crime. In some ways, I agree with the courts on this one. But at the same time, I have always thought the three-strikes idea is effective. I maintain that attitude despite this court ruling.
Two specific cases brought this matter to the court's attention. In both cases, the criminal had two prior violent convictions namely armed robbery. But in both cases, the third offense was for shoplifting. And in both cases, the criminals received the three-strikes ruling and were sentence to life terms.
We need to recognize there are some who will never conform to the civilized rules of society. No laws, no enforcement will ever change the nature of these animals. And to protect society we must have some provision that removes these thugs from the streets on a permanent basis.
At the same time however, a life sentence for a shoplifting conviction may be pushing the law too far. Perhaps the three-strikes provision should only come into play on violent crimes. But if that third offense is not criminal in nature the thug should still spent a lengthy time behind bars.
Something short of a life sentence but more than a slap on the hand.
First-time criminals must be punished. Repeat offenders must be punished much more however. If that pattern is not followed our society will be plagued with crime like we've never witnessed before.
I still support the three-strikes law and would like to see it adopted nationally. With some fine-tuning I believe it would send a clear message to the criminal community. And when they violate that law - and they will - they need to be removed from society for years and years with no opportunity for parole. There simply is no other way.