Three Strikes, You're Out Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Three Strikes, You're Out.

Three Strikes, You're Out (phrase): This term is associated with laws enacted initially in 1994 in several states, with proposals for federal law adaptation as well. The "Three Strikes, You're Out" law mandates life imprisonment or exceptionally long sentences without parole for criminals convicted of a third felony. The trigger offences can be any third felony in certain regions, or specifically felonies involving violence, rape, use of a deadly weapon or molestation elsewhere. This law was brought into existence due to public uproar over violent acts committed by recurrent offenders. However, concerns around this law exist due to its strict application, prevention of plea bargaining for charged felony, elimination of judicial discretion in sentencing, and lack of distinction between violent and non-violent crimes.