La loi californienne sur les trois grèves (document en anglais)

Talk-show : « three strikes » law

Host: good morning everyone, this is Jane Austin for CNN news. I’m very pleased to welcome my two guests, who are going to tell us about the three strikes law. A very interesting topic that raises many reactions. I have here Mr. Donovan, a well-known lawyer that actually participated in the creating process of the law. And here is Susannah Karlson, member of the Stanford Three Strikes Project.

Ms. Karlson, tell us about your project.

Susannah: Well, first of all, thank you for having me here.

The Stanford Three Strikes Project is an organization which provides representation to convicts serving life sentences under California’s three strikes law for minor or non-violent felonies. We think that it’s unfair for people to be sent to jail because of insignificant felonies that aren’t even worth prison. Basically, we want to make a change concerning that part of individuals, that are serving life sentences under the three strikes law and that we think can pay their debt to society otherwise.

Host: So you are against the law?

Susannah: A hundred percent against. The three strikes law is totally unfair to minor felonies offenders. How can one be sent to jail for life sentence just like a murderer, when what he did is not even comparable to a murder?

Mr.: If you commit 3 offences it means that you are a danger for the society. The purpose is to protect citizen’s safety, to make them feel like they aren’t constantly threatened. The only way to do this is to take people convicted of felony away, especially if they are recidivists.

Susannah: Some of them are not even criminals. And those are the people the Stanford Three Strikes Project is representing. They may have done some stupid mistakes that are going to take away their freedom. Do you really think it is rational?

Mr.: Are you aware that your so-called “mistakes” could jeopardize their own life and other America’s citizens’ lives? How can you dare to call such acts “mistakes”?

Moreover, the practice of imposing longer prison sentences on repeats offenders is nothing new, judges take into account prior offenses when sentencing.

As all the sentences this one has a strong dissuasive power too. Do you realize how many people wanted to steal something but refrained from doing it, aware that they could spend the rest of their life in jail. Trust me, such a law is very efficient!

Susannah: I totally agree with you. But a man getting imprisoned for some youthful mistakes he did out of despair or even anger, is not to be sent to jail for a life sentence. I don’t understand why you won’t admit it.

Furthermore, prisons are getting overcrowded, and it is becoming a serious issue for the state of California.

Mr.: Wait, wait… Are you insinuating that we should stop trials, not administer justice anymore because of a material question, because we’re not able to dedicate a few more buildings?

Susannah: Are you stating that the overcrowding of prisons is not to be taken seriously? We are talking about 4 thousand intimates that committed minor or non-violent felonies that are serving life sentences. 4 thousand lives

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