On the recordJuly 28, 1997
Yes. I do not have any knowledge on how the three-strikes-and-you-are-out language is impacting across the country, but I have generally supported that, especially for violent crimes. I know we saw some instances, I think, of a minor theft out in Oregon or the State of Washington, I cannot remember which, in which a person stole a slice of pizza and was prosecuted under that law. I think in that case probably the prosecutors were overzealous and should be allowed discretion in terms of their judgment as to which of those offenses to pursue on the three-strikes-and-you-are-out provision. But, of course, not being a member of the Committee on the Judiciary, I do not profess to be an expert on the specific language that has been adopted by this House and Senate and signed by our President in an attempt to get a greater grasp of crime in this country.
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