California has a so-called “Three Strikes” law that was introduced in 1994. Think of this like the “three strikes, you are out” mantra that goes with baseball. A player has 3 chances to hit the ball. If they get three strikes, they are out.

This Three Strikes law concerns convicted felons. If the convicted felon is faced with a second, new felony, they are sentenced to twice the prison time than what they would have faced if they were not already a convict. If the felon has two felonies and faces a third conviction, the Three Strikes law kicks in to automatically sentence them to 25 years to life in prison.

Since 1994, the Three Strikes law has been amended multiple times to be as fair as possible...