The Federal Government And The Three Strikes Law Criminology Essay

The Federal Government And The Three Strikes Law Criminology Essay Between 1993 and 1995, 26 states and the federal government passed the Three Strikes Law. Under this law, a person who is convicted of three felonies is given a mandatory 25-to-life sentence. A felony is defined as any crime punishable by 1 year or more in prison (Messerli, 2006). This law was passed in reaction to the murder of 12 year old, Polly Klass. She was kidnapped and murdered by a paroled repeat offender. Unlike the federal laws, the three-strikes laws vary by quite a bit from state to state. However, under all federal and state three-strikes law if someone is convicted of a crime three times, there is no judiciary discretion in sentencing these repeat offenders (Unknown). This means that in all cases the offender must go to jail for 25 years to life if convicted of three felonies, no matter the seriousness crime. Under the statute, a serious violent felony includes murder, manslaughter, sex offenses, kidnapping, robbery, and any offense punishable by 10 years or more which includes as an element the use of force or that, by its nature, involves a significant risk of force. The statute also enumerates certain non-qualifying felonies, including unarmed robbery offenses and arsons that posed no threat to human life (Unknown). The purpose of the three-strikes law is to put criminals out of society to keep them from committing future crimes (Roy, 2010). Pros and Cons While researching this topic I have found multiple pros and cons of the three strikes law. Some of the pros that were mentioned include: repeat offenders will stay in prison; can deter offenders who have had two felony convictions from committing another crime; and it only applies to convictions. The first pro of the Three Strikes law is that repeat offenders will stay in prison for at least 25 years after their third conviction. If criminals choose to continue to break the law then will have to pay for their crimes. These criminals will not have a fourth chance to break the law. The Three Strikes law is a way to ensure justice and to stop criminals from committing more crimes. According to Adam Gelb, director of the Pew Centers Public Safety Performance Project (2008), There is no question that putting violent and chronic offenders behind bars lowers the crime rate and provides punishment that is well deserved. The second pro of the Three Strikes law is that it might deter offenders who have been convicted two felonies from committing a third crime. This law is known by all, especially by criminals. Criminals will know the punishment before they decide to commit crimes. The hope is that this will discourage criminals from committing any crimes major and minor, from armed robbery and rape to burglary. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics 43 percent of felony probationer and 62 percent of the parolees will be rearrested within three years after beginning supervision (Unknown, 2010). The third pro of the Three Strikes law is that it applies only to convictions. This law does not apply to arrests of a person is found not guilty. However, three convictions will send criminals to prison for 25 years to life. Chances are that these criminals have committed more than three crimes, but for whatever reason they were never convicted. There are also multiple arguments against the Three Strikes law. Some of the cons that were mentioned include: a one-size-fits all form of justice; it can be considered unjust depending on the particular crime; and it arguably violates the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Kitchen, 2009). The first con of the Three Strikes law is that some see this as a one size fits all form of justice (Kitchen, 2009). Some believe that this law destroys the flexibility of the courts and the judge. It is no longer up to the judge to decide if the offender can be rehabilitated. Under the Three Strikes law, the offender will automatically go to prison after the third conviction. Criminal rehabilitation has many positive benefits and can impact the lives of many inmates as well as their families (Wright, 2007). The second con of the Three Strikes law is that it can be considered unjust depending on the particular crime. In some cases the third conviction may not be a violent crime but if they are convicted of a third felony they would receive the same 25 years to life sentence as if the crime were a violent act. Some believe that this punishment does not fit the crime. If a newly convicted criminal has a record of two prior felony (serious crime) convictions, the judge had to impose the maximum sentence for the third crime (Driscoll, 2003). The third con of the Three Strikes law is that it arguably violates the Eighth Amendment. The Eight Amendment prohibits the use of Cruel and unjust punishment by the state. Many argue that certain clients prosecutions violate this amendment. According to N.C. Aizenman at the Washington Post (2008), when it comes to preventing repeat offenses by nonviolent criminals- who make up about half of the incarcerated population- alternative punishments such as community supervision and mandatory drug counseling that are far less expensive may prove just as or more effective than jail time. The fourth and final con of the Three Strikes Law is the expense. Prisons are already overcrowded and some argue that there is not enough room to house additional inmates. Prison is expensive. There are also trial and court fees that many times must be covered by the state and its taxpayers. It cost as average of $23,876 to imprison someone in 2005 (Aizenman, 2008). This includes costs for food, shelter, prison staff and many other items. Student Position In my opinion, this is a great program and the pros far outweigh the cons. People should refrain from breaking the law if they do not want to spend the next 25 years of their life if prison. There are many arguments that the Three Strikes law does not have any effect on the crime rate. However, most crimes are committed by previous felons. Without this law I believe that these criminals will continue to break the law until they are stopped. This law may be the only thing that will stop them. How many people need to get hurt before we have the right to put these criminals in prison where they belong? Conclusion According to Mike Reynolds (2006) Californias total crime rate in 1993, the year prior to adoption of Three Strikes, was fourth highest among all states. By 1999, Californias total crime rate dropped to 29th among the states. During the same period, Californias homicide rate dropped from fourth highest to 19th among the states. These statistics clearly suggest that Californias falling crime rate was not just part of a national trend, or a result of demographics or economic factors as opponents have suggested. 041106CACrimeRate

The Fault in Our Stars Reflective Response

The Fault in our Stars Reflective Response People have a wide range of philosophies and beliefs on how they should live their lives. The anticipated approach in which they should confront their fears, their challenges, and their daily decisions varies greatly from the true outcomes. Many people are hopefully to become the idea of greatness they envision and Gus being a romantically oriented person obsessed over the idea of becoming Hazel’s knight in shining armor. Learning of his impending death put him in the same position as Hazel.He could now understand the psychological effects of living life on the true edge, not knowing what the next day will bring for yourself or those around you. In his letter, Gus takes on a tone of disparity due to his realization of human inconsistencies. He understands the conflicting ideas of human emotion and the truthful brutality of reality. Being split between his own hopes of leaving a mark and his acceptance that â€Å"like doctors say: Fir st, do no harm† (312) Gus accepts the outcomes with reservation.Due to the relationship and emotional attachment between Gus and Hazel, Hazel’s beliefs create a slight bias that has great effect on giving of living on the edge he now sees the world as Hazel views it. Gus now is split between his own ideas of romanticism, which is apparent when he continues to bring up true heroism, yet his situation directs him towards the true analytical understanding of the world. In a final attempt to do what matters Gus’ true nature of romanticism emerges. Though his mind is convinced to accept that the less the splash the better he clearly wants to make that impression deep down.For Hazel he attempts to continue her vision of him being her knight in shining armor by showing her even after death he is there to love her. Gus is the true example of internal conflict in a male’s mind. The rationality and emotional connections to values become entangled and confused. As al l humans in a period of crisis they begin to understand the true nature of their personalities, but become removed from the blissful ignorance of the world in order to lessen their damaging effect.The indecisiveness and confusion that Gus has at the time of writing his letter is a universal response to insecurity and hopelessness. In many situations of bleakness I myself have been torn between making the instinctual protective decision or the ethical response in which others are spared of impairment. It is unclear what the right course of action is in order to benefit both yourself and others, but in terms of personality I feel that I compare closely to what Gus tries to be.I know that he wants to be a good person that works for the benefit of others, but at the same time his own hopes influence his actions so that he can be seen as a martyr. After sorting through his thoughts Gus finally decides that making a difference is Hazel’s life is the most important thing that he can do in his limited time. By adopting and living her ideas he provides her a sense of unity with him even after he is gone. Gus’ letter reveals more than just about his own internalizations.His thoughts give secondary support to Hazel’s and maintain relevance to the reader because of its universality. In terms of the novel Gus’ letter provides the reader with an applicable question to think about. Many people wonder if they’re making a difference in the world, but few people understand what it means to make a difference, but seeing things in a relatively unaltered view allows the reader to connect with the ideas, emotions, and thoughts Green was attempting to communicate.Gus’ letter also illustrates the two-sidedness of the world. As Gus says â€Å"a desert blessing, an ocean curse† (313) perspective changes the impact of everything. Even the few things in the universe that remain constant are not always consistent. In the end Gus becomes to heroic romantic martyr that he dreams of becoming although he wished for things to have happened differently for his own purposes. Gus makes his choices at he says at the end of the letter and he like all those who search for happiness are able to attain it.

Power In Death And The Maiden English Literature Essay

Power is defined as a ownership of control, authorization or influence over others. Power unfairnesss have been in being throughout the history of humanity and the ways of manifestation evolved from utmost to subtle, subjugation. This thought can be seen in the dramas Lysistrata by Aristophanes and in Death and the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman. In Lysistrata, the supporter, Lysistrata, does n't desire to see Greece rupture itself apart while in Death and the Maiden the supporter Paulina wishes to take retaliation on person she believes tortured her many old ages ago. Both Lysistrata and Paulina find themselves experiencing powerless within a society which sees them as something to be conquered. Through the usage of gender, both adult females are able to derive power and utilize it to asseverate themselves within society nevertheless, whether or non they reach their ends is dependent on what issue characters wish to work out, an issue with society or an issue with themselves. Both Paulina and Lysistrata believed that they required power to make their ends, ends that could ne'er be achieved in their former place in society, a 2nd category citizen. In Death and the Maiden, Paulina wishes to penalize who she thinks tortured her, Roberto. She required power in order to pull strings her hubby, Gerardo, to play along with her â€Å" game † and she believed that the power to instil fright in Roberto would convey her strength to penalize him and convey closing to her life. However, Roberto keeps seeking to state her that killing him will ne'er convey the closing that she wanted. The deductions from slaying him will farther attest the job and the emotions that come with it. Paulina responds be stating â€Å" And why does it ever have to be people like me who have to give, why we are ever the 1s who have to do grants when something has to be conceded [ aˆÂ ¦ ] † ( Dorfman 66 ) . She keeps inquiring the inquiry â€Å" why? † and this shows the audience all the emotions that have been bottled up over the old ages are rupturing her apart. This is a major turning point for her as a character, whether she will forgive Roberto, kill him, or allow him travel. Either manner she understands that with or without her power, no affair what she tries to make she will ne'er hold a piece of head. On the other manus Lysistrata is able to accomplish her end through the usage of her gained power. After the dialogues she declared â€Å" Well gentlemen, so it ‘s all merrily settled. [ †¦ ] And allow us for the hereafter all endeavour Not to reiterate our mistakes, ne'er of all time! † ( Aristophanes 191 ) . Lysistrata was successful at making her ends utilizing the power she had gained because she had the support of all the adult females in Greece while Paulina merely had herself. Lysistrata ‘s declaration is anticlimactic and unlike Paulina ‘s duologue. Although Lysistrata reached her end of doing peace, s he simply falls back into her function of being a adult female nevertheless throughout the drama Lysistrata used a more serious tone than the other adult females and is portrayed as being smarter than the other adult females. Unlike in Death and the Maiden, Paulina is portrayed as weak, baffled, and interrupt up emotionally. Paulina ‘s bravery seen in the drama stemmed from choler. This simply created an semblance of a strong and powerful individual. Whether the adult females reached their ends or non, the dramas shows the reader that power to command and pull strings others will ne'er be able to work out struggle and hurting from within oneself nevertheless power to assist a big group in society will decidedly hold an ageless impact. Both Paulina and Lysistrata are able to derive power and utilize it to asseverate themselves within society nevertheless, Paulina was non able to make her end because power can non wipe out memories and emotions that everlastingly changed us. However, Lysistrata wants to assist society as a whole and this allows her to derive support from the adult females of Greece. Paulina was merely a tattered individual seeking the terminal a chapter of her life that she will ne'er bury while Lysistrata wanted to stop a war that had no terminal in sight and taken countless lives. By understanding the ends of the characters every bit good as their mentality, we can do proper opinion on our ain society. If a homo is given the proper environment to develop and boom, people wouldn`t be seeking retaliation on those that did them wrong. Besides people wouldn`t have to contend for their sentiments to do an influence in society because society would accept them. Humans experience growing in different way s at peculiar points in our lives but the chief underlining similarities allows the species to assist one another advancement through the adversities faced in life. Otherwise every individual would merely decompose in the shadows of what they could hold been and what they wished they had done. By understanding the power plays with the supporters, it can be applied to heighten the developments of our ain characters and hopefully society. Word Count: 1320

The Grapes of Wrath Synthesis Essay - 891 Words

Throughout history, human beings have been incessantly cruel and violent towards each other. It has happened so much so, that some have argued human nature is intrinsically violent and aggressive. This can be seen in chapter 25 of The Grapes of Wrath: the mindless destruction of resources ultimately amounts to nothing productive. In his novel, Steinbeck expresses harsh criticism and disapproval toward humanity’s self-destructive and violent nature. Man’s cruelty to his fellow man, a major theme in the book, is very clearly addressed in chapter 25: â€Å"And men with hoses squirt kerosene on the oranges, and they are angry at the crime, angry at the people who have come to take the fruit. A million people hungry, needing the fruit- and†¦show more content†¦On the other hand, the truck driver typifies the corrupt government which oppresses those weaker than it, for little or no benefit. Steinbeck employs detailed imagery in order to describe the turtle’s journey in chapter three: â€Å"The hind feet kicked his shell along, and it scraped on the grass, and on the gravel†¦ The back legs went to work, straining like elephant legs†¦ And now a light truck approached†¦ His front wheel struck the edge of the shell, flipped the turtle like a tiddly-wink, spun it like a coin, and rolled it off the high-way†(21) Steinbeck greatly emphasizes each difficulty the turtle must face and each action the turtle makes to conquer the challenge of crossing the street. John Steinbeck’s somber portrayal of humanity through the turtle and drivers in The Grapes of Wrath is still seen in today’s world. We hear of heroic acts of sacrifice and unacceptable acts of greed daily, yet they make no overall impact on our lives. Social and economic classes have always been unequal and unbalanced; this will not change. Politicians continue to make claims about changing this unequal foundation. Every four years another presidential c andidate promises to make things equal and their supporters develop an obsession with the belief that things will be different, and every four years they are disappointed. The latest election had a similar situation, with Obama promising to change everything for the