Three Strikes Law essays

Three Strikes Law essays The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of the three strikes law. The research study will document the impact of the three strikes law on criminal behavior and activity, in an attempt to assess whether the law and similar laws act as an effective deterrent to crime. The research will be conducted of criminal activity in three major cities across the United States. The three strikes law was developed in California as a mechanism meant to lengthen sentences and deter crime, especially crime committed by repeat offenders. Recent studies have suggested however, that the three strikes law is less effective than its initial intended. Among the problems cited by citizens include its tendency to unfairly discriminate against certain minority populations, and the tendency to sentence individuals who normally may be classified as non-violent, minor criminals, as felony offenders. A majority of these "felony offenders" are serving sentences that are generally from 25 years to life, for what might be considered relatively minor crimes. The aim of this study is to investigate to what extent the three strikes law has actually worked in deterring crime. In addition to this, this study proposes to examine to what extent the three strikes law has resulted in successful incarceration of potentially violent criminals. In order to accurately assess the efficacy of the three strikes law, I have developed the following preliminary hypothesis: Null Hypothesis: The three strikes law is not an effective deterrent of crime, and often results in the unnecessary incarceration of non-violent Alternative Hypothesis: The three strikes law is an effect crime deterrent, and is responsible for successfully reducing the proliferance of This study will also aspire to examine the extent to which three strikes laws may unfairly discriminate against certain minority populations. Part of my interest...