State adopts three-strikes law
Hawaii joined 25 other states with a three-strikes law that locks away violent repeat offenders for between 30 years and life.
Gov. Linda Lingle signed Senate Bill 2260 into law yesterday in ceremonies at her state Capitol office.
The new law allows the prosecutor to require that someone who has three separate convictions for a violent felony be imprisoned without parole for 30 years to life.
"This is an important day. This act makes Hawaii a safer place," Attorney General Mark Bennett said.
Critics, such as Kat Brady with the Community Alliance on Prisons, said the measure will be too costly as the state is forced to lock up more and more felons for life.
"There are no estimated cost projections or impact analysis this will have on Hawaii's already overcrowded prisons," Brady said before a group of 25 protesting the bill at the Capitol.
In reaction, Bennett said the three-strikes bill is worth it if one serious crime is deterred.
"If what this bill does is stop one individual from being murdered or raped or terrorized by a violent felon, then the cost is worth it.
"This bill will protect thousands of our residents from being raped, robbed or terrorized," Bennett said.
The bill defines a violent crime as murder, manslaughter, assault, kidnapping, sexual assault in the first or second degree, continuous sexual assault of a minor under the age of 14 years, robbery in the first or second degree and burglary in the first degree.
Burglary, however, can only be two of the three crimes that would trigger the enhanced sentencing.
Critics said a 19-year old with two burglary convictions would face life in prison if found guilty of a violent crime.
But Gov. Linda Lingle said the new law was enacted in response to community concern.
"What these bills are is a response to the public's common sense in these matters.
"I don't know anyone in the public who believes we should continue to let people out who are committing violent crimes against the community," Lingle said.
Lingle also signed into law:
» Senate Bill 2265, which requires a one-year minimum prison sentence for someone convicted of using the Internet to lure minors. The bill also eliminates the possibility of persons being allowed to enter a deferred guilty plea.
» SB 1512, which authorizes the director of health to set up teams to review domestic-violence fatalities.
» House Bill 2278, which sets aside almost $2.4 million to conduct DNA testing of inmates in Hawaii prisons.
