Three Strikes Rule

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Many states have enacted a “three strikes rule,” which means if a person is convicted of three violent or serious felonies, the mandatory punishment is life in prison

Many states define a “strike” to include violent crimes such as murder, rape, arson, and robbery. These are all obvious violent felonies. The problem arises when one or more strikes qualify as a “serious felony” but not a “violent” crime.

Serious felonies include offenses like:

  • Treason
  • Drug Trafficking
  • Felony Theft
  • Bribery
  • Sedition

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