Speaks Out

Published: Friday, March 12, 1999

Friday, March 12, 1999

Because of the recent five-year anniversary of California's Three Strikes law, critics have protested, charging that the legislation is excessive and discriminatory, since a disproportionate number of nonviolent criminals and minorities are convicted of the "third strike." Supporters say Three Strikes is a key reason behind dipping crime rates. What do you think about the Three Strikes law?

"I think three strikes is a good thing. By the third time, you've had your chances before. You know about the law. Especially for major offenses, the law is a good thing. While there are smaller cases, a felony is still a felony. It's kind of hard to draw the line."

Courtney Dawson

Second-year

Physiological science

"I think three strikes has been effective. People are more careful about what they do. There are different levels of being a criminal, but you're still a criminal. I don't think there's anything racist about the law. If you've already committed two felonies - no matter what they are - you should know to be careful."

Rhonda Dobison

Fourth-year

Economics

"I don't think it's a bad law because it will have some effect on people who see that, by the third time, they're really going to get their punishment. Actually, if it were up to me, I'd make it 'one-strike,' but obviously there are always exceptions to the rule. By the third time, though, no matter what kind of crime - big or small - if you haven't learned your lesson, you need to go to jail."

Laleh Javanbakht

Third-year

Biology

"I think at its base, the law is a good idea. If the third strike is a violent act, then it should be implemented. But there are so many things that are felonies that don't necessitate a life sentence. So, the law needs to be massaged a little bit, but it's not a bad law."

Netaniel Livni

Fifth-year

Cybernetics

"I think the three-strikes law is a totally good law. It's a good way to keep criminals off the streets and to keep them from thinking about doing something. For your first two strikes, you're punished, but they're also warnings. Whether you're a drug addict or a violent criminal, you've got your chances."

Paul Pham

Fourth-year

Physiological science

"Three strikes should be repealed. It is a law born of Puritanism. It's the idea that the more harshly we enforce something, the more it will deter people from doing things, which, of course, isn't true. I especially think three strikes is being applied blindly and non-uniformly in California. The specific law isn't racist, but the system is racist. That's why so many more minorities are being convicted of a third strike."

Stephen Trentalange

Senior researcher

Physics