Revise: IV.7 Judicial (three strikes)

Recommended by a vote of 9 to 1 with 1 abstention

Summary

Our platform currently advocates that the "Three Strikes" law should focus on violent offenders. This proposal would change our position to say that "Three Strikes" should be eliminated.

Changes

Replace existing language, in the proposed "Crime and Punishment" plank or in the fifth paragraph of the existing Judicial Plank, depending on whether the restructuring proposal is adopted, with: "The removal of the Three Strikes law and other de facto life sentences."

Text Showing Revisions

If the restructuring proposal is adopted:

D. The Three-Strikes law should focus on truly violent offenders so that enhanced prison sentences and life imprisonment for multiple criminal acts are reserved for perpetrators of violent crimes. The removal of the Three Strikes law and other de facto life sentences.

If the restructuring proposal is not adopted:

We support the concept that law should impose penalties proportional to the gravity of the violation of others' rights, and prison sentences should be served in their entirety, unless the victim pardons the perpetrator. Unfortunately, the existing Three-Strikes-and-You're-Out law fails to focus on the truly violent career criminals who are the greatest threat to their victims. Enhanced prison sentences and life imprisonment for multiple criminal acts should be reserved for perpetrators of violent crimes. Prison space for these enhanced sentences should be made by pardoning those prisoners who were incarcerated for victimless "crimes". We advocate the removal of the Three Strikes law and other de facto life sentences.