Keep Crime Down

Main Idea:

When it comes to the three strike laws that some states have adopted here in the United States some say it is harsh on criminals. California’s 3 strike law which was adopted in 1994 stood out as the harshest in the U.S. . In 1992 there was 1000 slayings in the Los Angeles area and in 2010 the number had dropped significantly to 297 slaying, less than 1/3 than it was in 1992 (Mandalit del Barco). Some critics may point out that some criminals are sent 25 to life because of some petty crime like theft. I tell you that a crime is a crime from murder to stealing and no sympathy should be given to any criminals. Mike Reynolds a three strike author whose 18 year old daughter was killed by a convicted drug addict who was barely released from jail at the time has commented on the issue, “"Once someone has been convicted of two serious or violent offences, I suggest it's pretty clear what they are capable of," he said, "If this passes, we are likely to see property crimes going up all over the state, and in very short order." (Marisa Lagos). In short too keep our society functioning we need to keep those criminals away from our society and to keep them locked up for good.

Link and analysis:

In an article by the San Francisco Chronicle a Stanford Law professor Mike Romano argues that non-violent third strike offenders that are serving life sentences are less likely to a violent crime compared to other criminals. He claims that only, “Four percent qualify as high risk of committing a violent crime if released, compared with 20 percent of the total prison population, according to state assessments” (Marisa Lagos).

In an another article written by Neel Thakkar for The Stanford Daily, Michael Romano states that  “A life sentence for petty theft or drug possession is excessive” .Michael Romano who is the director of the Three Strike Project. The Three Strike Project argues in favor of a third strike client who has not committed a non-serious and non-violent crime

While some may argue that The Three strike law is unfair on criminals who commit non-violent crime. The pointy is what is stopping these criminals from committing a serious crime later in life? For example Mike Reynolds daughter was killed in 1992 by a drug addicted criminal who recently got out of jail. Just because the crime is non-violent what is stopping the criminal from committing one?

List of arguments from the State of  California proposition 36 general election information 2012

Just like before, Proposition 36 allows dangerous criminals to get their prison sentence REDUCED and then RELEASED FROM PRISON! So who does Proposition 36 apply to?

• Criminals so dangerous to society that a District Attorney chose to charge them with a Three Strike offense;

• Criminals so dangerous that a Judge agreed with DA’s decision to charge;

• Criminals so dangerous that a jury convicted them of that offense;

• Criminals so dangerous that a Judge imposed a 25-to-life prison sentence; and

• Criminals whose legal appeals were denied.

Visual Argument

 In this picture it is showing a crime scene with a gun and money as evidence. It points out that some crimes can be a small petty crime such as stealing and it can escalate into a violent one which can lead to murder. In the quote " Isn't one violent crime or three petty crimes enough to know a criminal?" is pointing out to the idea that action speaks louder then words. That the actions a person commits is a reflection of themselves and why should society  allow criminals to walk and roam freely in our streets? The answer should be we should not let criminals be on the streets because they present a danger to us and our loved ones.

Resources:

Barco, Mandalit del. NPR. 1 January 2011. 23 November 2012 <http://www.npr.org/2011/01/06/132677265/las-homicide-rate-lowest-in-four-decades>.

California State General Election Ballot Sheet. California.gov. 22 October 2012. 23 November 2012 <http://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2012/general/pdf/36-arg-rebuttals.pdf>.

Lagos, Marisa. SFGATE. 28 November 2011. 23 November 2012 <http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/3-strikes-Proposed-law-tries-to-restore-intent-2296566.php#page-2>.

Thakkar, Neel. The Stanford Daily. 29 November 2011. 25 November 2012 <http://www.stanforddaily.com/2011/11/29/three-strikes-project-drafts-ballot-initiative/>.

By: Logan (Franky)