What Were the Exposed Weaknesses?

The New York Times claims that two violent crimes committed in Connecticut expose the weakness of a proposed "Three Strikes" law. What were they?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/22/opinion/22tue3.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

This looks to be one of them:

It would also not deter the many crimes committed by people who have not committed three violent felonies.

Oh, I don't know. I'd think a life sentence would deter all crimes.

CT in general is FUBAR. Sadly, it isn't only their criminal justice system.

That said, this problem isn't unique to CT. All of our states courts and prisons are swamped with people suffering from addiction treating them as criminals and prosecuting and incarcerating victimless "criminals". As a result they don't have the resources required to effectively deal with genuine criminals.

And attempts or means at deterring crimes is akin to deterring adultery or prostitution.

Many of those contemplating perpetrating one of the above, ..... just do it ...... without thinking about anything except exactly what they are contemplating on doing ........ whether they are a 1st time offender or a 14th time offender.

Many others contemplating perpetrating one of the above, ...... "weighs their odds" of the possibility they will not get caught, ....... and because those "odds" are so high ..... they are seldom ever deterred from perpetrating said act.

And they also ...... "weighs their odds" of the possibility they will not get convicted ...... even if they do get caught, ....... and because those "odds" are about 50-50 ..... that serves as encouragement for perpetrating said act.

And besides, incarceration isn't such a "bad deal", ......... so, .... "why worry about it".

Thus the "Three Strikes" laws do not deter any crimes ........ primarily because the Courts have no frigging idea "how many times" the perpetrator in question ...... "walked" (or ran) away after committing other violent felonies.

A "First Time Offender" is actually a misnomer, ........ and actually means "First Time Convicted".

GEEEZUS, they might possibly be a "Thirteenth Time Offender" ..... but only a "First Time Convicted".


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