Proposition aims to change three-strikes law in CA

The stories are out there. The pot smoker, the pizza thief, the videotape shoplifter who were two-time felons slammed with life sentences after getting nabbed a third time, committing a third felony. Such sentences have come down for 10 years, thanks to California's 1994 three-strikes law, which is designed to punish repeat offenders. In essence, it works like this: A person with two serious or violent felonies on his record faces life in prison if convicted of a third felony, a third "strike." A strike is akin to a black mark on a criminal record. Get three of them, face 25 years-to-life in prison. This November, three-strikes law opponents will ask voters to overhaul the decade-old law with Proposition 66, a ballot initiative that would require a person's final felony ---- the one that could send him or her away for life ---- to be serious or violent. Supporters say it's time to mete out appropriate sentences for crimes. There should be no more stories of petty thieves locked up for life, said proposition proponent Jim Benson, vice chairman of the committee that put the initiative on the ballot. [more ]