California Ends Ridiculous Aspects of Its Three Strikes Law

Ballot measure approved to reform felony sentencing guidelines

California’s Three Strikes Law will undergo sweeping changes, thanks to the ballot measure voters approved on Election Day. Proposition 36 changes a state law that allowed the imposition of a life sentence on anyone after their third felony conviction, even if the third offense was something as minor as writing a bad check or stealing a pair of socks. The revised law now requires that the third offense be of a serious or violent nature. The measure passed with a wide margin of 68.6 percent to 31.4 percent, and enjoyed bipartisan support. In addition to Three Strikes changes, Prop 36 gives nearly 3,000 inmates currently serving life sentences under the original law to petition for reduced terms. The measures are estimated to save the state $90 million per year. (Huffington Post)

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