The rule three strikes and you're out is a rule on the baseball field and in the courtroom. Just like how people believe the batter should have multiple attempts to hit a home run, many believe those who commit crimes should get another chance. In matters of criminal law, however, some convicted criminals who are given second chances do end up committing another crime. Some states, like California, have adopted baseball's three strikes rule into criminal law, with harsher sentences for repeat offenders. This kind of law was first created because of the tragedy of Polly Klaas, a 12-year-old girl who was kidnapped and murdered by a man with multiple previous convictions. The California Three Strikes law, passed in 1994, has kept many nonviolent
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According to the California Legislative Analyst’s office, longer sentences for crimes are designed to reduce crime by removing “repeat felons from society for longer periods of time, thereby restricting their ability to commit additional crimes” and “the threat of such long sentences would discourage some offenders from committing new crimes” (Legislative Analyst’s Office). Supporters of the law believed that with harsher sentences the Polly Klaas murder would not have happened. Repeat offenders like Richard Allen Davis, under the Three Strikes Law, would not have the chance to commit new crimes due to longer prison sentences. Californians overwhelmingly voted to pass the law as Proposition 184, which required that convicted felons “shall receive, in addition to the sentence imposed for the present felony, a 5-year enhancement for each prior felony conviction” (Legislature of California). The Three Strikes Law increased the sentences for felonies by adding an additional 5 years for each past felony committed. For example, if someone is sentenced to 15 years for burglary and already has had two felonies in the past, their sentence would be at least 25 years and can be as severe as a life sentence, instead of the normal fifteen. The call for justice after the murder of Polly Klaas led to the Three Strikes Law in California, adding 5 years for each past felony
According to the California Legislative Analyst’s office, longer sentences for crimes are designed to reduce crime by removing “repeat felons from society for longer periods of time, thereby restricting their ability to commit additional crimes” and “the threat of such long sentences would discourage some offenders from committing new crimes” (Legislative Analyst’s Office). Supporters of the law believed that with harsher sentences the Polly Klaas murder would not have happened. Repeat offenders like Richard Allen Davis, under the Three Strikes Law, would not have the chance to commit new crimes due to longer prison sentences. Californians overwhelmingly voted to pass the law as Proposition 184, which required that convicted felons “shall receive, in addition to the sentence imposed for the present felony, a 5-year enhancement for each prior felony conviction” (Legislature of California). The Three Strikes Law increased the sentences for felonies by adding an additional 5 years for each past felony committed. For example, if someone is sentenced to 15 years for burglary and already has had two felonies in the past, their sentence would be at least 25 years and can be as severe as a life sentence, instead of the normal fifteen. The call for justice after the murder of Polly Klaas led to the Three Strikes Law in California, adding 5 years for each past felony