<P> In the United States , habitual offender laws ( commonly referred to as three - strikes laws ) were first implemented on March 7 , 1994 and are part of the United States Justice Department 's Anti-Violence Strategy . These laws require a person guilty of committing both a severe violent felony and two other previous convictions to serve a mandatory life sentence in prison . The purpose of the laws is to drastically increase the punishment of those convicted of more than two serious crimes . </P>
<P> In the United States , habitual offender laws ( commonly referred to as three - strikes laws ) were first implemented on March 7 , 1994 and are part of the United States Justice Department 's Anti-Violence Strategy . These laws require a person guilty of committing both a severe violent felony and two other previous convictions to serve a mandatory life sentence in prison . The purpose of the laws is to drastically increase the punishment of those convicted of more than two serious crimes . </P>
when did the three strikes law take effect
when did the three strikes law take effect
March 7 , 1994
March 7 , 1994