#Three strikes law code

Restore trust in Washington’s justice system “by directly involving the people in the process”Īs lofty as these goals sound, they resulted in a law that can be used unfairly against those who have been accused of crimes in Washington.Apply tougher sentencing to reduce the number of repeat offenders.Boost public safety by imprisoning violent offenders for life.

#Three strikes law code

Revised Code of Washington, Section 9.94A.555 summarizes the reasoning for the law and what it sets out to do: The Washington three strikes law set the standard for such laws around the United States. If they are convicted of this third violent felony offense, they would be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Now, they are charged with felony assault again either in the first or second degree. In Washington, an example of when the three strikes law would apply could involve someone who has previously been convicted of domestic violence assault in the first or second degree, and then a separate conviction for robbery in the first degree. Most three strikes laws require at least one violent felony offense to apply.

Dozens of other states followed suit as the years passed. This occurred in 1993 when the legislature passed Initiative 593, also known as “ Three Strikes You’re Out.” California passed its own version the next year. While the concept of placing harsher punishments on so-called “repeat offenders” is nothing new, the Washington three strikes law was the first to use the “three strikes” language. Washington was one of the first states to adopt such a law, but many states have adopted similar laws. Often called habitual offender laws, three strikes laws are not unique to Washington. For more information, read on or get in touch with our firm. That is why the criminal defense attorneys at Will & Will work hard to defend the accused every day. In many cases, this type of blanket rule is not true justice. Where a conviction would usually mean a few years in prison, life in prison is now a real possibility. This rule raises the stakes for many Washington residents who have been charged with a crime.

The Washington three strikes law means those who are convicted of three violent felonies face life in prison. But applied to Washington law, the three strikes rule is much less forgiving. In baseball, that well-known rule means you have to return to the bench and will likely get another chance at bat later.