Essay Ewing V. California/ Andrade V. California - 1274 Words

A sample of inmates released during this period was drawn from a list obtained from the Florida Department of Correction, for a total sample of roughly 3,793 offenders. Careful attention was given to securing a representative sample from each offense group. The offenders chosen were released from public and private state prisons after expiration of their sentences. The centralized idea of this study was to determine the differentiation between public and private state prisons focusing on recidivism. I have chosen two cases that reflect on the central issue of this topic and how they are treated by the Courts which can hopefully shed some light on the research problem as it exists in present society. These cases are based on†¦show more content†¦Supporters of Proposition 184 argued that imposing lengthy sentences on repeat offenders would reduce crime in two ways (Mullin, 1998). First, extended sentences, also referred to as sentence enhancements, would remove repeat felon s from society for longer periods of time, thereby restricting their ability to commit additional crimes. Second, the threat of such long sentences would discourage some offenders from committing new crimes (Mullin, 1998). In March 2000, the defendant Gary Ewing entered a golf shop at the El Segundo Golf Course in Los Angeles County, California. He was caught in the parking lot with three Calloway golf clubs in his pants, which were valued at $399 each, for a total theft of $1197 (Ewing v. California). A jury found the defendant guilty of grand theft. The defendant has a lengthy criminal record dating back to 1984, with numerous misdemeanor and felony convictions. In 1993 he was convicted of first-degree robbery and three separate burglary convictions. His record also includes convictions for theft, battery, and possession of a firearm convictions. He has suffered nine prior felony and misdemeanor convictions before his 1993 convictions. Two of his prior strike offenses were violent and involved the use of a weapon. Between 1988 and the date of the current offense, the defendant had been either in prison, on probation, or on paroleShow MoreRelatedReport: Ethics and Three Strikes Law736 Words   |  3 Pagesthe punishment should be similar to that of someone committing the same crime in California. If, however, different States characterize certain crimes differently, the scenario is entirely possible that someone could be sentenced to life imprisonment in California for shoplifting cookies at a grocery store, and getting very little time in Florida. In addition, because there is no interpretation of the law in California, for instance, someone committing such a minor crime as stealing golf clubs is treated