Three Strikes laws are statutes enacted by state and federal governments which require courts to impose harsher sentences on habitual offenders who are convicted of three or more serious crimes. However, there have been many different interpretations as to what is considered a serious crime. As a result, defendants with previous convictions have been given sentences of 25 years to life for such crimes as shoplifting golf clubs or stealing a slice of pizza from a child. Under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, the "Three Strikes" statute was supposed to provide for mandatory life imprisonment if a convicted felon has been convicted in federal court of a “serious violent felony", and has two or more previous convictions in federal or state courts, at least one of which is a serious violent felony. Serious violent felonies include murder, manslaughter, sex offenses, kidnapping and robbery, among others.

Advocates say that after the hype leading to the passage of these laws died out, it was soon apparent they were not bringing the results the public expected. Data shows Three Strikes laws didn’t necessarily reduce violent crime but instead put away more “criminals” for nonviolent and petty crimes, dramatically increasing our prison population. Studies show that higher incarceration rates do not necessarily lead to less crime. Some states have ruled that Three Strikes laws are unconstitutional on the grounds they violate the 6th Amendment guarantee of trial by jury.

Proposed Legislation: To repeal the Three Strikes laws provision in the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Maxine Waters (CA)