Prop 36: Reshaping California's Three Strikes Law

California’s current Three Strikes law mandates if someone is convicted of three felonies, they are to be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison--even if that third offense is a non-serious, non-violent, non-sexual crime.

Prop 36 looks to tweak the state’s Three Strikes rule such that the third strike must also be a serious or violent offense.

The bill’s supporters, which range from the San Francisco’s Green Party to anti-tax crusader Grover Norquist, like that the measure is estimated to save California up to $100 million in the long run. However, the coalition of law enforcement groups opposing Prop 36 worry that it would allow prisoners currently serving life terms to become eligible for parole.

For: California Democratic Party, Drug Policy Alliance, Americans For Tax Reform.

Against: California District Attorneys Association, California State Sheriff's Association, Klaas Kids Foundation.

Correction: The article originally stated that California's current three strikes law would allow the third offense to be a misdemeanor instead of a non-serious felony.