California’s 15-year-old three-strikes sentencing law doubled the penalties for second felonies that were serious or violent and for the third felony provides a mandatory prison sentence of 25 years to life. For Mike Reynolds, a crime victim’s father who helped write the law, defending it has become his second job, reports National Public Radio.
“I never dreamed that this would require the long-term maintenance that it has demanded,” Reynolds says. “We find attempts to undo this law, other initiatives placed on the ballot to literally gut the law. It has become a life-changing event for us.” In the 15 years since three strikes was passed, crime has declined significantly in California and across the nation. Reynolds credits the law for that. Independent studies have found that three strikes has not been a major factor.