What does the "three strikes law" refer to?

The "three strikes law" refers specifically to legislation that enhances the penalties for individuals who have been convicted of three or more serious offenses, often resulting in significantly longer prison sentences for repeat offenders. This law was designed to address violent crime by ensuring that habitual offenders face stricter consequences for their repeated criminal behavior.

The focus on "three strikes" underscores the idea that after a certain number of serious criminal convictions, the judicial system will impose harsher penalties, often leading to life sentences in some jurisdictions. This approach aims to deter crime by removing repeat offenders from society, thereby increasing public safety.

While other laws may address aspects of parole, minimum sentences, or the treatment of juvenile offenders, they do not capture the specific intent and application of the "three strikes law." The unique structure of this law directly ties the severity of the punishment to the number of serious crimes committed, distinguishing it from other legislative frameworks within the criminal justice system.