The three-strikes law is complicated. If you’ve been convicted of just one strike, the sentence for the second strike and any later felony is doubled. That’s true even when the felony isn’t serious or violent. That means that after just one strike conviction, the sentence for one count of a home burglary could be as high as 12 years in prison! Somebody could leave their garage door open you run in and take the bike that is just resting there….. even if no one was at home at the time… with the wrong laywer at your side, you could be facing 12 years in prison. Selling marijuana with one strike conviction on your record could land you in prison for up to eight years (more if some special circumstances apply).
If you face charges that would be a second strike in the California Penal System, the time in prison away from your real life due to the sentence are terrible, but even worse are the consequences for the future. If you have two strikes on your record, any future felony conviction could send you to prison for 25 years to life. This means that a conviction for petty theft which is normally a felony that could be punishable as a misdemeanor could land you in prison for life. And a convicted third-strike offender must serve at least four-fifths of the sentence before being eligible for parole.
The best way to avoid the severe, life-changing consequences of a three-strike conviction is to avoid having one. Lucy S. McAllister can help. After more than 25 years defending Bay Area, San Jose, San Francisco Californians from serious criminal charges, Lucy S. McAllister Inc., understands how to work with prosecutors, judges and juries to fight to reduce or change your charges. Her first priority is always to scrutinize the facts of your case, to see if there are law enforcement mistakes or omissions that could get it dismissed. Lucy is proud of her strong record of success in defending against these types of serious criminal charges.
If you’re facing three-strikes charges in California, your future and your freedom are at stake. With so much to lose, you need expert legal advice from an experienced three-strikes defense attorney.
For an initial confidential consultation, and for more information please e-mail us or call us at (877) 280-9944 – 24 hours a day.
