Three Strikes Laws

Three strikes laws trigger stiff sentences for offenders with specific kinds of previous convictions.

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Jailhouse Booking
Bailing Out of Jail
Release on Your Own Recognizance, or "OR"
How Criminal Cases Get Started
Grand Juries
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Preliminary Hearings
Plea Bargains
Criminal Trials
What's the Sentence for this Crime?
Sentencing Hearings and Probation Reports
Diversion and First Offender Options for a Criminal Charge
Probation
Jail, Prison, Fines, Community Service, and Alternatives
Writs in Criminal Cases
Victims' Rights
Appeals in Criminal Cases
Arrest Warrants
Arrests and Probable Cause

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"Three strikes and you're out" is a fun analogy. But there's nothing fun about three strikes laws, which lead to potentially long terms of imprisonment for qualifying defendants.

Articles on Three Strikes Laws

Learn how three strikes laws work.

Typical Three Strikes Laws
Third strike offenses involve severe sentences, even if the crimes are relatively minor.

Three Strikes Questions

Learn about the ins and outs of strike sentencing.

Can convictions that happened before three strikes laws were passed be used as strikes?
A crime can be a “strike” even if there was no such thing as a strike when it occurred.