3 Strikes

Defense Lawyers: California Three Strikes Law

In 1994, sentencing of criminal offenders in California changed dramatically with the implementation of the Three Strikes and You're Out sentencing program. The Three Strikes Law is aimed at reducing crime by harshly penalizing repeat offenders.

If a person is convicted of three felonies, he or she automatically receives a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life in state prison. The first two convictions must be for a serious or violent felony, such as homicide, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, and vehicle theft. The third strike can be for any felony.

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Complicating the issue, California law allows petty theft to be charged as a felony if the accused has two previous convictions for any form of theft, from shoplifting to robbery and burglary.

Devastating Consequences for Minor Crimes

The result is that people with two strikes against them for serious or violent crimes can trigger the mandatory Three Strikes Law sentence by shoplifting a candy bar.

In one case, the defendant was sentenced to 26 years to life for stealing four chocolate chip cookies. His previous strikes were for burglary and assault with a deadly weapon. Juvenile offenses can also count as strikes against a defendant.

Fighting for Your Freedom

At the Blumenthal Law Offices, our criminal defense attorneys understand that it is important to fight for our client no matter what the charge and what the previous criminal record. We take every case seriously not only to avoid the immediate consequences, but to avoid triggering the Three Strikes Law and its mandatory 25 year-to-life sentence.

Our attorneys have successfully represented hundreds of clients who were facing second and third strike sentences. We seek to get the case dismissed, the charges reduced, or, in some cases, not filed at all. We are skilled trial attorneys who will advocate aggressively on your behalf in front of a jury.

To learn how we can help in your specific situation, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a free consultation.

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