Sentencing and the Eighth Amendment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Sentencing and the Eighth Amendment - Essay Example clearly states that if a person is convicted more than two times for minor offenses, the third strike will either lead to a 25 year jail term or life imprisonment (Schmalleger, 2006). It was unfair to jail a person for life because he stole a bottle of vitamins. Furthermore, the court viewed the matter as a petty theft due to hunger, but the law had to be applied. Similar cases of certiorari denial will probably appear in future. This is due to the recent increase of offenses all across America, California included. Shoplifting is not something new, and the trend appears not to be dropping soon (Schmalleger, 2006). According to the California courts, the three strikes law will always apply to offenders with more than three criminal records. This can only be changed if the courts decide to amend their law. The three strikes law should apply only to severe and serious crimes. The same case applies here. It is rare for a court to go against its laws and judge a case out of common sense (Schmalleger, 2006). Hence, if a case such as Riggs is heard in the future, then the verdict will still be the same. This could only change if the courts decide to amend their