Small Town News
Three strikes law should be illegal
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CopyUnder our system of criminal justice, the punishment must fit the crime. Individuals should not be executed for burglarizing nor should they be incarcerated for LIFE for committing relatively minor offenses, even if they commit them three times. This principal is known as "proportionality" and is expressed in the Eighth Amendment to the Bill of Rights: "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted."
Many offenses considered "strikes" in our "three-strikes" law depart sharply from the proportionality rule. This law encompasses a broad range of criminal conduct, from murder down to minor attempted assault. It fails to take into consideration both mitigating and aggravating circumstances, as well as the gravity of the situation. It renders our judges ineffective. It cost the taxpayer millions of dollars. It should be reformed.
Shirley White Omak
Copyright 2009 The Star, Grand Coulee, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.
© 2009 The Star Grand Coulee, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.
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