What is the three strike law?

In March of 1994, the California three strike law went into effect. The law said that 25 years to life was a reasonable sentence for people convicted of three felonies, of which at least two were violent or serious. The law intended to keep career criminals off the street. But this law has drawn a lot of attention. The conflicted Supreme Court has debated whether it is unconstitutional for states to put burglars, shoplifters or other petty criminals away for life in the name of public safety. Justices are thinking about the constitutionality of California's law, the toughest in the nation. This law questions whether a man who shoplifted children's video cassettes should go to prison until the year 2046 or whether a man who took 3 golf clubs should do a life sentence. Although state officials say it is keeping career criminals off the street, opponents feel it is cruel and unusual punishment making the law unconstitutional. The Supreme Court's final decision is not expected until the spring of 2003.