Three Strikes You're Out?: The Necessity of Prop 36

Monday, November 26, 2012

The Necessity of Prop 36

Bio

My name is Guillermo Galvez, I am 19 years old and I am a freshman at California State University, Northridge. Film is a great interest of mine, so I am majoring in Pre-cinema and I hope to have a career in film upon graduation. I am very open-minded when it comes to films and music, and I am very happy to experience something new. I was raised in Culver City, but moved to the San Fernando Valley when I was 14 years old. Other than film, I am passionate about Basketball. I enjoy playing it very much and hope to build of my current skills through out my college career. I do have a favorite team in the NBA and you’ve guessed right. I am a big Los Angeles Laker fan. It’s considered to be cliché to be a Laker fan but I feed off the negativity. While I am at CSUN, I hope to expand my interests and build off of my current ones. I expect that I will utilize them in a way that can make me both successful and content

Main Idea

Jack Leonard discusses in his article “Prop. 36 seeks to ease California’s three strike law” both sides to the 3 strike law. Dale Gaines has never committed any violent crime, but is serving 27 years to life; due to the 3 strike law. The last offense that gave him the third strike was unfortunately receiving stolen property. Dale is one of many who committed minor crimes, but pay a huge price. Instead, they could simply seek reduced punishment or being released. There are also offenders that do deserve the punishment of the three-strike law, due to their last offense. For example, the offender Ervin Cole. His three strikes consisted of robbery with a firearm and assault with a deadly weapon. Finally, his last strike was due to committing a robbery and leading a high-speed chase that resulted in a car crash with a civilian and evading the police on foot. Both show the polar opposites of those who do deserve it, and those who don’t. Proposition 36 would punish those who deserve based on their crime, and it also keeps the lengthy sentences for offenders that are dangerous. If prop 36 passes, it will not be used for criminals that have previously been convicted for murder, rape or child molestation. Everyone believes that criminals should be punished but Michael Romano, helper of a Stanford Law school project, says, “It's the life sentences for non-serious, nonviolent crimes that are fundamentally unfair.”

Link and Analysis:

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/oct/27/local/la-me-prop36-3strikes-20121028

This article by Jack Leonard, discusses the 3 strike law and how proposition 36 would reform the law. Do criminals that commit petty crimes deserve to go to prison for life? Not at all, the example of Dale Gaines is a crucial point to prop 36. He was sentenced 27 years to life for receiving stolen items. He did not steal the items or recover them in any harmful way to the public. The 3 strike law was established in 1994 and is due for a re form. There are almost 8,900 “third strikers” in jail, and one-third of them was incarcerated due to drug related or minor property crimes. Proposition 36 will sift out the offenders that deserve an extensive sentence, due to their heinous and violent crimes, from those who should only have minor sentencing. This proposition will only affect those who are not in need of a harsh sentencing. It will keep the violent and unreasonable criminal behind bars.

Significant quotes:

"It's the life sentences for non-serious, nonviolent crimes that are fundamentally unfair." –Michael Romero

"L.A. County has not gone to hell in a hand basket because we have a moderate three-strikes policy," Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley

“The measure would reduce prison overcrowding and save California millions of dollars.” Steve Cooley

Visual Argument:

This cartoon shows two inmates that committed violent and heinous crimes. The third inmate stole a loaf of bread. Although it is a punishable crime, it doesn’t deserve extensive sentencing in prison. This is a clear statement towards the unfairness of sentencing that a criminal may undergo. A petty crime can earn the same amount of prison time that a murder or a rapist may receive. The three strike rule is an unjust law that proposition 36 will regulate, and only keep those who deserve to go to prison based on their crime.

Post by Guillermo Galvez

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Frequently Asked Questions

All FAQS are taken from the Official California Voters Guide

1. Will prop 36 costs California tax payer’s money?

It will "save California over $100 million every year"; specifically, "Taxpayers could save over $100 million per year—money that can be used to fund schools, fight crime and reduce the state’s deficit. The Three Strikes law will continue to punish dangerous career criminals who commit serious violent crimes—keeping them off the streets for 25 years to life."

2. What was the effect of the three strike law?

California saw a 37% drop in crime in the first four years after implementing "Three Strikes".

3. What kind of affect will prop 36 have in the jail system?

It will "make room in prison for dangerous felons"; specifically, "Prop. 36 will help stop clogging overcrowded prisons with non-violent offenders, so we have room to keep violent felons off the streets."

4. What does prop 36 try to change?

It will "make the punishment fit the crime"; specifically, "Precious financial and law enforcement resources should not be improperly diverted to impose life sentences for some non-violent offenses. Prop. 36 will assure that violent repeat offenders are punished and not released early.

5. Compared to other states how did the 3 strike law match up?

While all states have seen drops [in crime], none have as much as in California.

About Us

Hi, my name is Edgar Limon. I am your average college student just trying to get by. I usually like to spend my spare time longboarding or playing Black Ops 2. I am for Prop 36 for many reasons.

My name is Logan Wilson I am a republican and I am I am 19 years old. I’m an admirer of the great President Ronald Reagan. I currently am attending CSUN and I am studying to become a political science major.

Hello my name is Henry. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.

Hi my name is Richard Sanchez. I’m 18 years old and I’m from Pasadena.

Hello, I'm Joseph LeGarreta. I'm from the San Fernando Valley and I am currently a freshman at CSUN studying Computer Information Technology. I enjoy films, sports, playing the guitar, and I always like learning something new.

I hope to open the minds of those who read this blog to all sides of proposition 36, and perhaps even change their perspectives.

I found it very interesting how prior to writing this blog I didn't have a solid opinion on proposition 36. However, after having done research and reading numerous articles, I can say I am in favor of the proposition.

I learned that issues like this are not always black and white. If you take the time to read other people's perspectives on issues and their experiences, it is likely to have an effect on you. It is important that people in our society take the time to research current events and educate themselves. I'm a busy person just like anyone else, but I aim to set aside a bit of time every day to read the news. Issues like proposition 36 effect us all, even if indirectly.

I recommend the readers keep an open mind while going through this blog, and try to understand not only what the authors wrote, but the authors themselves.

Hello, my name is Yanet Avacu Gutierrez! I am 18 years old and I’m majoring in Communications at California State University Northridge.

We hope that our readers become educated on the subject of “Three Strikes” law and how it affects our community as a whole. This a current issue that has a great impact on our society. We hope that our readers become inspired to research more into these topics and form their own opinions.

The most interesting thing we found was how these laws affect prison terms. We often heard about terms such as “25 years to life in jail” but we never realized how long 10, 20, or 30 years in prison could be for a certain individual. We also found the history of how the “Three Strikes” law, or Prop 184, came into affect.

We learned the legalities of the “Three Strikes” law that we didn’t know before. We didn’t know that a second strike conviction received double the prison sentence. We also learned how Prop 36 worked to change parts of Prop 184. We realized how important our decisions can be on ourselves and our loved ones. We also learned the impact of our laws and how it emotionally affected every one of us. We plan to stay up to date on any future initiatives on the “Three Strikes” law so that we are able to voice our opinions.
We recommend that our readers research these topics. Simple things such as watching the news for an hour every morning really helps. Also, look into who is supporting these propositions and for what reasons. We found many helpful credible websites that helped us understand Prop 36. Also, social media sites such as YouTube posted informational and unbiased videos.