Three strikes laws, also known as habitual offender laws, were enacted after a series of violent crimes occurred where defendants had multiple convictions but had attained parole despite those convictions. One such crime, according to pollyklaas.org (n.d.), was that of 12-year-old Polly Klaas who was kidnapped, molested, and murdered by known sex offender Richard Allen Davis who was out on parole at the time of this occurrence. Polly’s father, Marc, pushed for a change in the criminal laws that allowed this known offender out of prison on what he felt was too lenient of a sentence. This call for change initiated by Marc Klaas was resoundingly undertaken by politicians, lobbyists, and the general public. The first state who adopted what is now
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This law was two-fold in that it kept the violent, repeat offenders in prison and the public at large safe. According to findlaw.com (n.d.), there are 28 States who have three strikes laws, or habitual offender laws, they are: Massachusetts, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. The laws place those defendants who have prior felony convictions, at least one or more being violent, into a sentence enhancing structure. Each state varies but the minimum term of imprisonment can be 25 years to life and prior convictions from other states contribute to the three …show more content…
California’s three strikes laws were enacted due to Polly Klaas’ murder which occurred in Petaluma, California on October 1, 1993. It was not until December 3, 1993 that her body was recovered when Richard Davis led authorities to her shallow grave. Her abduction led to the largest search ever conducted and was the first abduction that utilized internet technology to post pictures of Hannah and the suspect. Mainstream media outlets broadcasted Polly’s story across the nation highlighting the need for a change in criminal sentencing. California would be the second state to enact three strikes laws due to this case thereby putting the decision before the voters. Named Proposition 184, it was overwhelmingly approved in 1994 by a 72-28 majority vote. California’s extensive law has been upheld by the United States Supreme Court despite several
This law was two-fold in that it kept the violent, repeat offenders in prison and the public at large safe. According to findlaw.com (n.d.), there are 28 States who have three strikes laws, or habitual offender laws, they are: Massachusetts, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. The laws place those defendants who have prior felony convictions, at least one or more being violent, into a sentence enhancing structure. Each state varies but the minimum term of imprisonment can be 25 years to life and prior convictions from other states contribute to the three …show more content…
California’s three strikes laws were enacted due to Polly Klaas’ murder which occurred in Petaluma, California on October 1, 1993. It was not until December 3, 1993 that her body was recovered when Richard Davis led authorities to her shallow grave. Her abduction led to the largest search ever conducted and was the first abduction that utilized internet technology to post pictures of Hannah and the suspect. Mainstream media outlets broadcasted Polly’s story across the nation highlighting the need for a change in criminal sentencing. California would be the second state to enact three strikes laws due to this case thereby putting the decision before the voters. Named Proposition 184, it was overwhelmingly approved in 1994 by a 72-28 majority vote. California’s extensive law has been upheld by the United States Supreme Court despite several