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Sentenced to 25 year-to-life for a non-violent crime ? |
We did not think that this could happen in a democracy until we read the book of Dutch reporter, Max Westerman. He is astonished about the cruelty of the three strikes law in California. This law was meant to keep violent repeat offenders, like rapist and murderers, off the streets. But this law also applies to people who committed minor crimes like shoplifting, petty theft, using small amounts of drugs etc. Of course every crime should be punished, but why are they punishing all crimes equally? Was this law intended for non-violent crimes? How does this cruel law fit into the American democracy? Together with Max Westerman we are also very much astonished about this law. But most importantly, with your support, the people of California can have the opportunity to fix this law by the coming referendum. They only need to collect 433,000 signatures before 1 May to get this referendum on the ballot in November. Would you be willing to support this democratic action? Please sign our PETITION and ask your friends and family to do this also! This action truly deserves your attention. We ask everybody to forward this website to family and friends living in California because their signatures will make the difference!
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50 years for shoplifting ?! |
 Leandro Andrade was sentenced in California to 50 years of prison, without parole, because of shoplifting 9 videotapes with a value of $153. Andrade is a U.S. Army veteran and lifelong heroin addict. He received two sentences of 25 year-to-life for stealing 9 children videotaps from 2 Kmart stores. His prior 2 strikes were home burglaries committed 12 years ago. Neither involved violence. In fact, Andrade didn't carry a weapon with him for either burglary. |
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 In 2004, family members and friends of the victims had gathered enough signatures to get a referendum on the ballot in order to change the three strikes law. In the polls leading up to the elections this proposition had the support of 70% of the voters. However, just before the election there were several TV-spots in which Governor Schwarzenegger warned the people that this proposal would release 26.000 dangerous criminals. Whose interests were these lies? Not the non-violent offenders who have been sentenced for life! |
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This year there is a new possibility to amend this penal overkill. The Three Strikes Reform Act 2008 is a new proposal to punish non-violent and non-serious crimes in a more justice manner, without applying the Three Strikes law. Support from all countries could help the FACTS organization in California to raise the 433.000 needed signatures before the deadline of 1 May. Do you have friends or family in California? Please ask them to support the FACTS organization! |
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Ronald: 85 years prison sentence |
 Ronald was 26 years old when he was sentenced to 85 years. His third crime was burglary of an unoccupied dwelling. "I am now 37 and a single father of three. My mother is raising my children who are left without the father they need. My mother and my children are the real victims in this case. My crimes were non-violent and no one was ever even at home. I agree that I should be punished for my crime. But does this sentence fit the crime I did ?"
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Amnesty International in the Netherlands fully supports our initiative and published a link to our site on their website. You will find our link on the country section of the United States of America on the Amnesty International website. Go here for the website of Amnesty International of the Netherlands. |
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The goal of our action is the release of 4500 Californian civilians, who are victims of the Three Strikes Law. They have been sentenced to 25 year-to-LIFE despite of the fact that their crimes were non-violent. But there is more: this law in fact is a ticking time bomb for all people of California who have been sentenced twice in the far past. It doesn't matter if they have paid their debts. Any next minor crime will count them in for Three Strikes. How could this penal overkill be corrected ? |
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