Foul Justice

Three Strikes still has plenty of other backers, primarily among law-enforcement officials. “This initiative constitutes the most dangerous piece of criminal-justice legislation to confront the people of California in the past 30 years,” writes L. Douglas Pipes, a Contra Costa County deputy district attorney. “I believe that the resounding defeat of this initiative should be the single highest priority of every law-enforcement agency and officer and of all law-abiding citizens of California.”

“I think the average Californian is happy with Three Strikes,” Wayne Strumpfer, spokesperson for the California District Attorneys Association, recently told The San Diego Union-Tribune. “People like to be safe, and Three Strikes makes us safe.”

Strumpfer’s second point is debatable. His first, however, will likely be settled in November.