Consider the following scenario: your client is charged with burglary, possession for sales of heroin and receiving stolen property. He’s got a couple of strike priors, has been to prison once before and is now facing 25 to Life. The D.A. offers to strike one of his strikes and give him 11 years. He will serve 80% of his sentence.
This is a common situation, so common that among experienced criminal defense lawyers it hardly raises an eyebrow. But 12 years ago, following passage of the 3-strikes initiative, this was a high-stress event for attorneys and clients alike.
Does Three Strikes work? Does it prevent future crimes? Logically, if someone is in prison, they cannot commit a crime on the streets.