Posted on 03/05/2003 8:12:20 AM PST by B-bone
Supreme Court Upholds 'Three-Strikes' Sentence
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A divided U.S. Supreme Court upheld on Wednesday a sentence of 25 years to life in prison under California's "three-strikes" law to a person who was convicted of stealing golf clubs.
The high court, by a 5-4 vote, affirmed a ruling that upheld the sentence for Gary Ewing, who received 25 years to life for stealing three golf clubs worth about $1,200. He argued the sentence was unconstitutional and grossly disproportionate to his crime.
I never understand these crazy ideas of using some techicality to put someone away instead of putting them in jail for actual, violent crimes if they committed them.
These are habitual criminals. As someone else said, I'd be in favor of putting them away for spitting on the sidewalk.
Did you read this Ewing guy's rap sheet?
"Three-strikes-and-you're-out" is not going to snare some little old lady swiping a Walnetto.
Yes, and I asked why he wasnt in jail for the actual crimes he committed, instead of being put away for a long time for stealing golf clubs.
I am a tough on real crime type of person. You rob, you rape, you kill, you have no business among civilized people. Dont let people get away with those crimes and then make up some crazy technicality type law that makes a small charge the one that puts them away.
Yes, that's exactly what happened to the guy that started this whole appeal. He had 2 fellony arrests and third strike was a mere misdemeanor but it got bumped. I don't like this part of the rule. You can spit on the ground and wind up in jail for life.
Another problem is sentencing tax payers to 40,000 a year for 25 years in taxes to keep someone in jail who has just spit on the ground.
There was a study done that shows 8% of society commit the majority of the crimes. Oddly, this behavior can be observed in elementary school. But go figure why the Education system doesn't take care of it? They have a hard enough time teaching.
Again, you have to remember, for a "repeat offender", more likely than not this guy has done a whole bunch of crimes. It's just not 100% that he has. However, 3 strikes brings a bit of order to the mess. The citizens are the ones who wanted the third to be ANY Felony, not necessarily a violent one. Which includes going after the thug that took pizza from two boys.
Bottom line, it takes the people who are committing crimes off the streets. The amount of property and lives that remain unmolested because of this is beyond whatever price tag it costs to incarcirate them.
Exactly. I totally agree.
It is one thing to lock away some gang banger or con-artist, but taking otherwise minor offences such as Marijuana Possession or vandalism and elevating those to felonies so they can get three strikes just seems stupid.
It's not worth $80,000 a year to lock up some pothead or homeless bum who stole a slice of pizza
Put people in jail for violent crimes. Do not let them roam free, then make some crazy law that makes a non-violent offense the one that puts them away. Its stupid and shows no responsibility for the protection of the rights and lives of citizens. Three Strikes are two too many.
It's not worth $80,000 a year to lock up some pothead or homeless bum who stole a slice of pizza.
Exactly. Some people just dont get this.
Many people imprisoned under three strikes laws had two felonies 10, maybe 20 years ago, but have had a clean record since. Then, something like petty theft or drug possession is added as a "three strike" offense and the person goes to prison for 25+ years. Total insanity.
This doesn't even make sense. Drug possession is more of a problem than say, rape? Arson? Theft? Murder?
People should be put in jail for violating the rights of others. Nothing more, nothing less.
... For that matter, why not have followed that philosophy with Al Capone and wait until he committed yet another murder he could be convicted of instead of nailing him on a penny-ante thing like tax fraud?
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