“The study showed that more than 4,000 inmates in California are serving life sentences for nonviolent offenses under the three-strikes law. Although judges have sentencing discretion in a very narrow band of three-strikes cases, the reality is that judges almost universally consider themselves bound under California law to impose a life sentence for a third felony offense, no matter how minor. We also learned that the law is disproportionately applied to minorities, the mentally ill and the poor.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/09/opinion/three-strikes-of-injustice.html?_r=1
Related posts:
Honduras police seize $50,000 gold-plated AK-47 rifle
Cops leave Beach Park home in shambles after drug raid goes awry
Philly Mayor Nutter's Attempt To Tax Lap Dances Shot Down
Dissident blogger allowed to leave Cuba on tour
Man arrested for posting image of burning poppy on Twitter
Credit Card Data Breach at Barnes & Noble Stores
Charlotte Citizens Review Board Has Ruled For The Police In Every Instance In 15 Years
The IMF Lays The Groundwork For Global Wealth Confiscation
Venezuela's Inflation Rate Hit 19.9%
Special operations armored vehicle pulls over driver who flipped the bird
The powerful countries that are buying up much of the world’s land
So far, D.C. feeling little pain from sequester's bite
Appeals court upholds Fed's 21-cent cap on retailer 'swipe fees'
Lunch lady slammed for food that is 'too good'
Rules Aimed at Tax Evasion Abroad Trip Up Average Americans