3 Strikes and You're Out: After 20 Years, Is the Law Working? | Retro Report | The New York Times

Retro Report - After the 1993 murder of a child, many states passed laws to lock up repeat offenders for life, but today those laws are raising new questions about how crime is handled in America.
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3 Strikes and You're Out: After 20 Years, Is the Law Working? | Retro Report | The New York Times
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[@101GameplayTutorial]

Why is it that the non-violent criminals get 25 to life and the violent criminals get 4 years when the law intends the exact opposite?

[@thegayestgoth]

gotta cash

[@dankadybong7948]

Anthony Pan . bcuz white racism lol

His own fault. The non-violent criminal should've made sure he was richer and could afford a better lawyer. I mean, your wealth not determining the severity of punishment? What are you talking about mate? It's basically communism what you're saying.

[@sideshowbob6416]

$$$

[@wenlee8853]

Glad to do that Walker finally got his life sentence kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJ7ZiYqFr5iUZtU

[@mefford67]

*I always thought that the “three strikes” law should require that each felony MUST be a violent crime.* *Anything less is unjust, period.*

[@eustab.anas-mann9510]

Illegal boxing 3x = 25 to life

[@whywelovefilm7079]

What? No that’s stupid. If you continuously break the law that means you either don’t care or just can’t stop breaking the law. Violent or not, if you can’t live with societies rules then you shouldn’t be allowed to live in society. Period…

[@r.e.ospeedwagoncornysus5007]

@@whywelovefilm7079 have you considered mentally ill people

[@brr102]

@@r.e.ospeedwagoncornysus5007 then lock them up in a mental facility, but they shouldn’t be on the streets

[@charaznable8072]

What about meth or heroin dealers?

[@anyb5020]

Three for violent NOT petty stuff.

[@realistmw]

3 strikes for violent crime, not petty crime

[@rosesandsongs21]

Indeed, victimless crimes like smoking pot shouldn't be included.

[@777osbaldo1]

Basing our laws off of baseball? Sounds like a great idea....

[@eustab.anas-mann9510]

Only the first 2 must be violent

[@user-nt6pk4bn4p]

It seems like this law could’ve worked great had they kept the criteria for it strictly to violent crimes. Why in the world were people getting 25 to life for petty crimes? What’s even funnier is that this is totally unconstitutional. According to the 8th amendment “cruel and unusual punishments” are outlawed. Giving someone life for petty theft is definitely cruel.

[@danielbrown6575]

In Ewing v. California (2003) the Supreme Court said it wasn’t a violation of the 8th amendment and affirmed a 25 to life sentence of a man who stole some golf clubs. The man was seriously ill and died in prison within the decade

[@criminal268]

There alot of meth addicts doing life for petty crimes and still be do meth in side jail

[@MrWhitmen1981]

@@criminal268 better then meth behind a wheel on the street.

[@robertomaricruz6026]

​@@danielbrown6575dayum

[@ahimsa228]

Yeah, the law is working very well for the industrial prison complex.

[@km5405]

I watched a comment on a anime about a entertainment park run by prisoners once that said - 'typical japan'... heh ironic.

[@JIMEYZ]

Well, crime is down.

[@jerrynavarro2404]

Very true 👍

[@thebee8415]

Got ta keep up with that old slave trade eh America you’d be f**ded without it.

[@floydd4779]

@@JIMEYZ you're a clown

[@teamcougars]

If the law was being used consistently it might have been more successful 😢

[@MCCENTx2]

4 years for murder?

[@StormZealot77]

Makes ya wanna just stab someone hu.

[@danielshabasson9149]

It was the accomplice who got 4 years, not the guy who pulled the trigger. I imagine he got a deal for testifying against the trigger puller.

[@km5405]

that' seems stupidly low for putting a gun in someones ear and pulling the trigger. ... down here basically all sentences are just a few years long but that kind of cold murder would give 5 or more years minimum.

[@Belikel]

Hey, but the cookie thief got 25 to life, hence it evens out.

[@wesley9201]

normal in europe

[@FireOccator]

The real problem is that people have an incredibly narrow view on crime. People always think there is going to be that one simple solution.

[@noname-wo9yy]

Yeah!!!! hang them high like they did in the 1600s Joke!!!

[@bellhula1535]

Yes, there is no simple answer The law was not used properly by those who judged, It can be used for racial,religious,moral, development deterrent because only those who have it wealth ; power and influence can repeal if it is used against them improperly. It doesn't aid the healing process , It can suppress a problem or!/ a person. So it really isn't that great for nobody including the government paying a lot of government funds to upkeep all those in the correctional facility/s. It also doesn't Aid for international peace development or the reputation of a country , International stage. What do you think..,

[@j50wells]

yep. Just like some of those countries who cut people's hands off for theft, and yet the crime rates are higher there than here in America.

[@jayjohn9680]

Seems like whatever law passes the worst case scenario for that law occures too many times. I bet the prison powers that be just let out the worst ones just to make the public pass tougher laws.

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

@@bellhula1535 love it

[@phantom391]

Half the Government has 3 Strikes already !

[@lindaperkins5038]

phantom391 🤣🤣🤣 I LOCE KZbin COMMENTS!

[@j50wells]

There are white collar crimes that do far more harm than a burglar or drug dealer. Some of these financial scams ruin millions, and cause them to lose their homes.

[@Loveroffood41]

I know right

[@RetroDigitalus]

Bring back the 3 strikes law because we need it now more than ever!

[@tayloradams5431]

Facts, but it likely won’t happen because it’d be “racist”.🙄

[@mikedevaney3507]

3 strikes for serious and violent crime is a good thing.....but 3 strikes for any crime might be one of the most idiotic things I've ever heard! How could intelligent people even think its a good idea! Life in prison for petty crimes like stealing a pizza or a bike!

[@slabsides1]

Prison Cells should ONLY be filled with dangerous VIOLENT criminals. House arrest and GPS monitoring should be used for all non-violent crimes.

[@allfatherodin3947]

Yup, give criminals paid vacations! That will deter crime!

[@FireOccator]

You must be in prison right now if you think house arrest and parole is a paid vacation. :D

[@RoyalDog214]

House arrest seems kinda logical for today urban growth. The prison is way too crowded, so there's no point in filling them with petty criminals. A new type of prison and control environment should exist as a solution such as a House-Arrest. Either way, it's still prison, but they're spending their own money to take care of themselves and not the tax-payer.

[@oliviaanderson1441]

House arrest usually requires employed offenders to continue going to work. They are not paid. They actually use have to pay for their monitoring.

[@JonSmith-yq1dw]

All non- violent crimes? What about a Bernie Madoff that's not a violent crime? What about some cartel member that gets caught with 500 kilos of heroin his occupation might be violent but the charging itself isn't.

[@Jaxymann]

25 to life for non-violent crimes? No wonder the American justice system is broken.

[@cristerowarrior1450]

Robbing people at ATMs is a violent crime

[@AnhTuPhucDerrickHoangCanada]

The common person is scared to touch stuff they don't know: After-3, you are out.

[@chickensturkeys9874]

This is offensive but not just because it was a recipe for mass incarnation but also because it is one of the worse baseball analogies ever....

[@jonathanlebo3710]

Define irony you pass a law to put the very perpetrators who murdered your daughter away for good only to find out he got let go

[@UsmanBello]

According to LaDoris Cordell @10:06: "The worst way to enact a law is to do it in an emotional, angry response, to two horrific crimes. I feel for the Mike Reynold's and the Mark Klass' of the world, but the same time, they are not the ones who should be crafting and drafting our laws." Amen to that! Any such laws that are knee-jerk reactions have the least amount of rationality and more of stuff border lining insanity.

[@TheCinemaViewer]

Does that apply to the people who want to pass gun control legislation? Because they do it in an emotional state as well.

[@mcyrenne14]

Rehabilitation people.... rehabilitation.

[@1968taddpole]

It should be for violent crimes only, not for cookie monsters or beer thiefs. There are to many ignorant people put in state And government offices.

[@benjaminburt8725]

This law would’ve done a lot more good had it only focused on violent offenders. People were outraged at the crime in this country in the 90s and rightfully so. But that doesn’t mean that we should give disproportionate sentences to non-violent offenders, even if there has been violence in their past, unless they commit three violent felonies, the 3 strikes law shouldn’t be used.

[@djohanson99]

somebody brings a 357 mag to my head i'm dropping the pocket book.

[@CIARUNSITE]

Great video. This whole series is great. But come on Mr. District Attorney, that scarf lmao.

[@justinearmande9999]

It is apparent that the 3 strikes law is not working. It is not being utilised in the way it was intended,i.e.: for habitual violent and serious offenders. To incarcerate a human being for 25 years for a misdemeanour offence is 'criminal'. Mandatory sentencing removes discretionary powers from judges, this is disproportionate, cruel and unusual punishment-a breach of both human and constitutional rights. The incarcerated population still deserve to be treated with dignity.

[@gbuster129]

Nope what is criminal is the criminal act committed by the thug. Liberal judges and juries are why this law was originated. People are incarcerated for felonies, study the law. Your opinion is impressive only to yourself.

[@rosierose8549]

@@gbuster129 Yes because smoking weed should land you in prison for life.

[@rosierose8549]

Stealing pizza should land you in a prison for life.

[@j50wells]

I agree. It bypasses the judicial process in which a lawyer, a judge, and a juror hash things out.

[@filizbaltaci5756]

@@gbuster129 People are incarcerated for misdemeanors as well lol. They serve anywhere between a month to a year. Under three strikes, they can be incarcerated for life for the same crime. That is a disparity of 24+ years. Study the law. The word "criminal" is subjective. It's pretty criminal (as in immoral) to assign a few months to some people and a life sentence to others for the same exact crime. Especially as some other violence offenders are simultaneously given shorter sentences.

[@djohanson99]

kidnapping and stealing a slice of pizza are not the same on any level. And ain't kidnappin could be life without parole hooks? or less. Why'd he get a soft sentence when judge coulda jammed him for life.

[@dariusvilla5680]

Florida has it right when it comes to 3 strikes law. Not only all 3 strikes have to be serious, violent felonies all committed within just 5 years, not 10, or 30. But the best part of it all, is the judge's hands are not tied to a chair being forced to sentenced everybody who commits 3 violent felonies to life in prison, like in California. And so striking a criminal with a 3rd violent felony out is an OPTION for a judges, rather than an OBLIGATION that ties their hands. It allows proper right discretion as judges are known and feared as.

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Thanks

[@spongeboholic]

This makes me wanna cry 😭😭

[@candyharbin8277]

There should be a transcript for this video. It is really amazing and can be used to help many people understand this law.

[@pythondrink]

It's got captions now

[@zzulm]

Prison corporations must love this system

[@HawkGTboy]

Take a guess as to how many prisons in the us are run by “corporations.” Guess the number and then go look it up. Surprising, isn’t it?

[@piccolo917]

What always frustrates me when it comes to crime and punishment is that “the public” only sees punishment as the way to cut crime. There will be a pool of criminals in society if there is a “market” for it. As long as there are poor people who are unable to get by, there will be crime. Decriminalize drug use, provide homes for the homeless and provide a UBI for everyone. You’ll see crime drop hard.

[@Alexx120493]

So basically bribe criminals to stop doing crime? Not all criminals are poor and not all poor people are criminals so your theory has the first flaw there. Decriminalze drug use: Alcohol is legal almost everywhere and yet currently 40% of all violent offenders commited their crime under the influence of alcohol. What makes you think that the effect would reverse with any other drug? Provide Homes for the homeless: What makes you think that they are able to live alone and who is going to pay for that housing (construction as well as upkeep)? Provide UBI: If UBI alone would allow for a home, utilities, food and transportation a lot of people would simply stop working and there would be barely any motivation for education or work. At the same time inflation would skyrocket to never seen levels because you are giving out billions of dollars for which there are no goods or services created in return. Crime is high because we allow criminals to participate in society, espeically in the socially anonymous cities of today

[@piccolo917]

@@Alexx120493 If that's what you read in my comment, you are wrong. No, we don't bribe criminals out of criminality. Crime is mostly an act of desperation, mostly due to economic factors. If you provide the people who would otherwise resort to crime with a livable alternative, they won't. Simple as that. There is currently a large market for drug sumgling. There is a lot of money in that market and it's outside the law. That is a recipe for violence. The legalization of canabis in many US states has resulted in a reduction of that and provided a new taxable industry. Win-win. I think that they are able to do that since that's pretty much the policy of Nordic countries and it works. 1. there have been experiments with UBI that have shown that to not be the case. 2. UBI is cheaper for the government because there is no need for an apparatus to check, dubblecheck and triplecheck if someone is really allowed to have it and then to go after people who cheated the system. So what is your solution then? Banish everyone who parked wrong to an island in the pacific?

[@Beauty4Ashes61]

​@@Alexx120493 socially anonymous cities of today? is that the same as secret societies?

[@feanedhell]

Laws based on revenge do not reduce crime.

[@Scatmanfan45]

Only when we start to approach crime as a problem that be best fixed through rehabilitation as opposed to through punitive measures, will we start to see society's problems of crime be curbed to a great extent.

[@brucejohnson1264]

The guy they show being released at the end was just tossed in prison for life for three new strikes 3 years ago.

[@colechapman3382]

When society abandons criminals it shouldn’t be surprised when the criminals abandon society. Don’t expect people to not be a criminal when you do nothing to help them go back into society and push them further out of society participation

[@tangoz811]

The land of discrimination and racism in the name of the law

[@shipoopeeeeeeeee]

Yay I can watch more than 5 of these for free, New York Times.

[@mikewazowski350]

Education and crime are directly related. When you have a more educated society petty crimes are greatly reduced. People who are child molesters or violent people will still exist, but law enforcement would not have to deal with the lesser criminals.

[@She_iswise]

Poverty included

[@MM-sf3rl]

The law has never worked. It has pluck out the the weakest (for the most infinitesimal crimes) pretending to have captured the worst.

[@robinjames8727]

The reduction of lead in children's body's is a big reason for lowered crime rates

[@valkry007]

3 strikes for "violent crimes and drug dealers" ! Violent animals and scum selling poison to our kids should be in cages.

[@maxasaurus3008]

I was a ‘low level’ criminal, thank god someone noticed me when I was in court for my twenty whatever th shoplifting charge. Denver Drug Court saved my life, next week is year 3 with no street drugs in my system and no police contact!🎉

[@shanerr7252]

If you haven't learned your lesson after 2 chance you deserve it

[@savageblack735]

If youre pro 3strikes, youve never seen an entire family shattered because of the men in it dissapearing for 25 to life for selling or using drugs as young men.

[@Thumbsupurbum]

3 strikes was struck down by the US Supreme Court, well after this video was uploaded. The reasoning was it violated double jeopardy.

[@imoneixusa9742]

Selling or using drugs would shatter a family anyway. In prison at least they cannot hurt other people who are not criminals

[@marksuave25]

@@imoneixusa9742 exactly.

[@TheWaggishAmerican]

Maybe they should stop selling or using drugs? Just a thought.

[@jimziemer474]

That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever read. Maybe the person should not break the law. I like that it is never the criminals fault. Get these people off the streets.

[@imoneixusa9742]

"And the question is what's he gonna do and what am i gonna do?"

[@norahchehab370]

4 years for murder???? It should be life !

[@philomath67]

Life at least. Preferably the death penalty.

[@josephedward9107]

U don't get life for murder silly. Maybe like 10 years tho

[@jamespigg8877]

@@josephedward9107 that's not true my cousin got life n he white for murder soooooo

[@SkarKingg]

First degree murder is life

[@cyrillayman7431]

If you took all non-violent drug offenders out of jail,the over population jails would be no more & federal & state Goverments would save billions of dollars a year.

[@lamp-stand575]

Quite a bit of misleading information here. For one, as I recall DA Garcetti was abusing prosecutorial discretion by charging Life sentences for petty offenses. Fact is, the discretion of prosecutors is integral to the Three Strikes process. Further, the court has the discretion to not sentence pursuant to "Strikes" law if it finds the defendant outside the spirit of the law, which is arguably the case for any petty theft/simple possession type conduct. (See People v. Romero)

[@jayjohn9680]

Why wait for the the next crime to be violent… seems like they sentince ‘crimes’ like a vigilante killing of a pedo for longer than the pedo that kills the kid.

[@yosefkornblau6766]

At .29 the girl blinks🤣

[@mbond3512]

Washington state...putting parents away and breaking up families over stealing doughnuts, barfights, etc, etc...

[@dannysimonian1274]

I'm also a three Striker I just got released 35 to life for misdemeanor and a 25 to Life two life sentences I just thank God

[@TrustThePlan]

That donut was worth it

[@anyb5020]

No it’s not. Tax payers are suffering

[@Henry-uv9xu]

Who is the news anchor at 3:09?

[@keithrempp1081]

Overcrowded prisons, time to clean the rifles and get the firing squad back in action. Solves overcrowded prisons.

[@thedesertrat_9514]

That is A. Cruel and unusual punishment; violates the constitution of the U.S. B. Is even more expensive because now you’re turning every case into a death penalty case. The adjudication and appeals process in capital punishment costs more than life in prison itself. C. Likely a human rights violation

[@SkarKingg]

Shut up Adolf

[@patrickhayes5666]

The way this country handles its veterans never stops blowing me away

[@waedjradi]

I'm surprised it hasn't been changed to 2, instead of 3. I guess the reason behind this is the prisons are full?

[@acetate909]

When they said it was spreading like wildfire in *California* that should have been an aminous sign to all involved.

[@CultofThings]

Thank god my cookies are safe

[@SkarKingg]

You know you want your cookies spread by Jing a' Ling

[@HTXLemarc]

Who else is here because they watched "13th" on Netflix

[@lairdriver]

The three strikes law guarantees Prison business.

[@808Rayman]

Now how did that guy get out so early???

[@OB.x]

it both worked and got carried away.... this isn't so simple

[@thedesertrat_9514]

We still doubt the effectiveness of it. Crime doesn’t exactly go away with mass incarceration. Other factors like the hiring of more patrol officers and increased community patrols likely was a bigger factor.

[@pursues6065]

80 billion dollars could change all the criminal mind and could turn them to productive society but government don’t care bout the society become good or bad shame.

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

In some years the NYT will come out with another Retro Report video on how reforming Three Strikes has been disastrous.

[@rockingrules3516]

The historic low of crime Isn’t actually a low compared to the uk

[@sinodazenitram4555]

carried away

[@dickiewongtk]

You guys should have canning for petty thief, like singapore.

[@twocentzzz]

By definition criminals break the law. You can't change the laws and expect a change in the criminal, you change the criminal through education, counseling and employment opportunities.

[@marksuave25]

LoL. Do you know violent criminals?

[@DaveWard-xc7vd]

Eugenics is the solution

[@jimziemer474]

Get them off the streets.

[@mrjv750li]

I love that scarf!haha

[@texasray5237]

The noose is too loose.

[@sorsorsor11]

This is the new London today...

[@anyb5020]

We need to change the law. It’s outdated

[@lovekay5262]

What this law is saying is do not I repeat DO NOT commit any crimes. There's plenty of people in this country that have never committed a crime. Committing crimes is a choice.

[@nataliekhanyola5669]

Not really!

[@patrickromanowski5911]

The 3 strikes law should only be for violent felony’s! And even then, there should be a judge tributary that determines if a life sense is mandated, deciding if there is not hope. What happened to mandatory military service for those facing charges like in the 50s and 60s? I don’t know if that was a myth, but there were military u it’s full of convicts and train them for infantry purposes, except without military benefits, which can be earned later after a probationary period. Boom, less crowding in prisons, more military for cheaper, plus if anyone try’s to desert then he can be shot for AWOL under military code. I’m sure many would sign up instead of prison? What do you guys think???

[@ThePeterDislikeShow]

STRIKE!!!

[@Alfwholikescats]

Wish Mr. Gracetti would reconsider that scarf lol

[@lucad6649]

Was that last thing the dad said a death threat??

[@eu-san2378]

My state first used that law.

[@afavoreddaughter6270]

Definitely it got carried away

[@milascave2]

Prisons are private now. Private companies do what they can to get more customers, including lobbying politicians. Put it together.

[@Crisperdad]

I agree that the time should fit the crime but frankly I cannot understand why murderers and rapists are kept alive! All the arguments in favor of humanitarian sentences fall short of logic when your little girl is murdered! Death penalty is the only option that makes sense then!

[@ModalSoul]

marpa what about rapists? that is not a violent crime.

[@marksuave25]

@@ModalSoul WTF are you talking about?

[@4Skenderbeu]

the irony...

[@John-ps6ce]

Good for both the former inmate and the former prosecutor. The pizza inmate, not the murder inmate. Stay the course Dad.

[@AnhTuPhucDerrickHoangCanada]

This should be 5 strikes not three same for profiling scores

[@madmodpo]

Funny country

[@peggooo]

that gil garcetti is making quite the fashion statement. 😳

[@DMWBN3]

Peggy Oberg that scarf. . . .vert cosy.

[@tailofahippopotamus9775]

35 Years for Jose for keeping 5$ a minor gave him to buy beer? wtf is wrong with you

[@MrShanester117]

I don’t know. If you steal a child’s pizza, something’s wrong with you

[@Sean-xs1jf]

When did California adopt the three strikes law?

[@LuisAR760]

1994

[@WaldoTheWombat]

So can the 3rd strike currently be any crime or a only serious one?

[@cyrillayman7431]

Safe the jail cells for all violent offenders & keep them there.

[@user-tr4op2fm7v]

Soviet Union ? We have more locked up than they did...hmmmm Tough on crime harsh sentencing...but not for my little Johnny...he is a good boy give him a break but throw away the keys for everyone else. Hypocrites. שלום

[@maxcovfefe]

I was one of the USA's first "3 strikes you're out" victims. My perpetrator lost and went to prison with Clinton in office. If this is edited, this video made me change my stance. As of right now, I am convinced this law works. Period. Now I'll watch the video. If I disagree with "3 strokes you're out" after viewing I'll edit. If I don't edit, my views remained have the same over all these years.

[@timothyduffy9068]

Right now because of three strikes California prisons are overcrowded. It seems my state has a choice. Either get rid of laws like three strikes or get used to catch and release programs in county jails. Otherwise, ha ha ha pay the piper.

[@Thumbsupurbum]

3 strikes was struck down by the US Supreme Court, well after this video was uploaded. The reasoning was it violated double jeopardy.

[@sirwillsirwill]

Good news story, but can I trust the nyt... Sad that I don't know

[@Nicolas-uu3jr]

Kenneth seems high ;)

[@freddyfox5002]

That law turn minor criminals into cop killers. Even I would rather go down that road then life in jail.

[@Lado93]

6:20 yeah he wasn't probably robbing those people with stick and stone but with the gun. So that isn't so petty crime as he talks about....

[@erictaylor3897]

I disagree with most of you. There are nonviolent crimes that are just as bad. You need to make sure bills are properly worded or you'll have what we have today. For example traffikers, dealers, idenity thevies, rakeetering, car theives, organized retail theft, home burgulars, drunk drivers, peds that exchange images online. If someone stole a sandwich and chips or got into an argument that is considered petty. Again make sure it is properly worded or else you see what we're dealing with today. Soft on crime is not working. Consequences and prisen reform for better rehabilitation is what we need.