Three Strikes now law
The three strikes bill has been passed into law, and this is a good thing.
I see two major gains from the law.
- A deterrent effect on some (not all) serious criminals who at sentencing for a first or second strike will be told by the Judge what they will incur if they commit a further strike.
- Recidivist serious violent and sexual offenders will end up spending much more time in prison, and over their lifetime bash, rape or kill fewer people.
This law is not retrospective so it will probably take some years for a criminal to get a second let alone a third strike.
There are ways the law could have been improved. I agreed with some of the points Maxim made – like still allowing a discount at third strike for an early guilty plea.
But overall it is a big step in the right direction, and it will make a difference. Congrats to David Garrett and Judith Collins for getting it through.