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Three Strikes Crimes

Three Strikes Lawyer in Chicago, CA

What Is a Three Strikes Law?

A three strikes law is a sentencing enhancement law that is usually associated with repeat offenders. It is a law that mandates increased penalties for a third criminal offense. The name three strikes comes from the baseball rule of three strikes and you're out. It means that if you commit three specific crimes, you are out of the game, so to speak.

The idea behind a three strikes law is that if you commit two crimes and get caught, you should be punished, but not as severely as someone who commits three crimes and gets caught. For example, if you commit a burglary, you should be punished, but you will not be put in prison for life. However, if you commit two burglaries and get caught, you will be charged with a more serious crime and may be sent to prison for life.

A three strikes law is a sentencing enhancement law. A sentencing enhancement law is a law that increases the sentence for a crime beyond the maximum penalty established by statute. For example, if you are convicted of shoplifting, the penalty established by the statute for shoplifting is a maximum fine of $500 and/or six months in county jail. However, a sentencing enhancement law may increase that penalty to a year in county jail. A three strikes law is a sentencing enhancement law that increases the penalty for a crime beyond the maximum penalty established by statute.

In California, a three strikes law is a sentencing enhancement law that mandates a 25-years-to-life sentence for a third felony conviction. A third felony conviction means that you have been convicted of two prior felonies and you have been convicted of a third felony. The third felony must be a serious or violent felony. A serious or violent felony is a felony offense that is punishable by death or life in prison. For example, murder is a serious or violent felony, so a third murder conviction would be a third strike and would be punished by 25-years-to-life in state prison.

There are exceptions to the 25-years-to-life sentence. The most common exception is that you must be within three years of parole eligibility or release date. For example, if you are currently serving a 10-year sentence for a second strike burglary, you would be eligible for parole after six years. However, if you were convicted of a third strike burglary, you would not be eligible for parole for 25 years. That is because a third strike burglary is a serious or violent felony and you must serve 25 years before you are eligible for parole.

Another exception is that you must be over the age of 50 to be sentenced to 25-years-to-life. For example, if you are 51 years old and you have been convicted of a third strike burglary, you will not be sentenced to 25-years-to-life. You will be sentenced to 10 years in state prison.

A third exception is that you must be over the age of 70 to be sentenced to 25-years-to-life. For example, if you are 71 years old and you have been convicted of a third strike burglary, you will not be sentenced to 25-years-to-life. You will be sentenced to 10 years in state prison.

A fourth exception is that you must be a minor to be sentenced to 25-years-to-life. For example, if you are 16 years old and you have been convicted of a third strike burglary, you will not be sentenced to 25-years-to-life. You will be sentenced to 10 years in state prison.

A fifth exception is that you must be a nonviolent third striker to be sentenced to 25-years-to-life. For example, if you have been convicted of two nonviolent third strike felonies, you would be sentenced to 25-years-to-life. A nonviolent third strike felony is a felony that is not a serious or violent felony. For example, petty theft is not a serious or violent felony, so a third petty theft conviction would be a nonviolent third strike felony and would be punishable by 25-years-to-life in state prison.

A sixth exception is that you must be a third striker who is over the age of 55 to be sentenced to 25-years-to-life. For example, if you are 56 years old and you have been convicted of two nonviolent third strike felonies, you would be sentenced to 25-years-to-life. That is because a third strike felony that is not a serious or violent felony and you are over the age of 55 is punishable by 25-years-to-life in state prison.

A seventh exception is that you must be a third striker who is over the age of 50 and you have been convicted of a nonviolent third strike felony to be sentenced to 25-years-to-life. For example, if you are 51 years old and you have been convicted of a nonviolent third strike felony, you would be sentenced to 25-years-to-life. That is because a third strike felony that is not a serious or violent felony and you are over the age of 50 is punishable by 25-years-to-life in state prison.

A three strikes law is a sentencing enhancement law that increases the penalty for a crime beyond the maximum penalty established by statute. For example, if you are convicted of shoplifting, the penalty established by the statute for shoplifting is a maximum fine of $500 and/or six months in county jail.

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  • Record-Setting Not Guilty Verdict Not Guilty Verdict in Complex DUI and Vehicular Homicide Case

    In an extremely challenging legal battle, our client, S.T., faced multiple DUI charges and the grave accusation of vehicular homicide in Chicago. With the weight of the world upon them, our client turned to our firm, known for client-focused representation, and led by our experienced Former Prosecutor attorney.

  • Not Guilty Verdict Not Guilty Verdict

    Our former prosecutor attorney meticulously analyzed the evidence, finding discrepancies in the arresting officer's testimony.

  • Acquittal of Charges Out of State DUI

    Our Former Prosecutor attorney's in-depth knowledge of the legal system and meticulous investigation skills led to the discovery of flaws in the arrest process.

  • Not Guilty Verdict Traffic Stop + DUI Charges

    A.B. faced DUI charges following a traffic stop in Chicago. Our team left no stone unturned in scrutinizing the evidence, ultimately discovering procedural errors that could not be ignored.

  • Acquittal of Charges Underage DUI

    Through skillful negotiation and a strong defense, we managed to secure an acquittal for D.P., ensuring they faced no penalties and maintained their clean record.

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