How does the 3 strike rule work?
The three-strikes law significantly increases the prison sentences of persons convicted of a felony who have been previously convicted of two or more violent crimes or serious felonies, and limits the ability of these offenders to receive a punishment other than a life sentence.
What is the three strike system?
Three strikes, or three-strikes law, is a criminal sentencing structure in which significantly harsher punishments are imposed on repeated offenders. Three-strikes laws generally mandate a life sentence for the third violation of violent felonies.
Does the 3 strike rule still exist?

The law was put in place in 1994 but has been amended since then. In 2012, voters in California passed Proposition 36, which stated that the Three Strikes Law punishes only felons with a third conviction of serious or violent felonies.
What states have 3 strikes law?
As of May 1999, these are the 24 states that have some sort of a Three Strikes sentencing law….States in America that also have 3 Strikes laws.
Arkansas | 1995 |
---|---|
New Mexico | 1994 |
North Carolina | 1994 |
North Dakota | 1995 |
Pennsylvania | 1995 |
What is Three Strikes legislation intended to do basis justifying it?

California’s Three Strikes Law The Three Strikes law significantly increases the prison sentences of persons convicted of felonies who have been previously convicted of a violent or serious felony, and limits the ability of these offenders to receive a punishment other than a prison sentence.
What are the pros and cons of the three-strikes law?
The benefit of a three strikes law is that it can remove potentially violent offenders from the general population. This keeps a community safer. The disadvantage is the cost of housing an offender for the rest of their natural life.
What are the pros and cons of the three strikes law?
Is a felony a strike?
A strike is a violent or serious felony. A serious or violent felony is any offense causing severe bodily harm to another person. A strike can double your prison sentence than what is otherwise prescribed by the offense. You would be obligated to serve no less than 80% of the sentence.
What is a 995 motion?
A PC 995 motion to dismiss is a legal motion seeking the dismissal of a criminal case based on section 995 of the Penal Code. It is filed after a “preliminary hearing” in a felony case.