NCJ Number
177781
Date Published
June 1997
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article explores the possible relationship between the enactment of "three strikes" legislation in California and violence toward police officers.
Abstract
California's three strikes law became effective in March 1994 and applies to any convicted felon who has previously been convicted of one or more serious or violent felony offenses, as defined in the California Penal Code. A convicted felon who has one qualifying serious or violent felony conviction may receive double the sentencing term and only 20 percent off for good time credit instead of the usual 50 percent. A convicted felon who has two more qualifying serious or violent felony convictions may receive 25 years to life imprisonment. To determine whether California's three strikes legislation resulted in more assaults on police officers, researchers examined criminal history records of all known suspects involved in the murder of California police officers for the 7-year period between 1990 and 1996. During the period prior to the legislation, 26 police officers were feloniously killed. After the legislation, 20 police officers were feloniously killed, and the legislation was implicated in 30 percent of these cases. Overall, there was a 14- percent increase in the murder of legislation was enacted. A panel was convened that used the nominal group technique to evaluate the future of the legislation and its relationship to violence toward police officers. The panel determined that violent offenders will continue to pose a serious threat to police officers in California and that measures should be implemented to protect police officers from three strikes candidates with a demonstrated history of violence. 16 endnotes