People v. Benson

Opinion

GEORGE, C. J.

In 1994, the Legislature, and thereafter the electorate, enacted similar “Three Strikes” laws. (See Pen. Code, §§ 667, subds. (b)-(i), 1170.12.)1 Under these provisions, a defendant who has one qualifying prior conviction, or “strike,” may receive a lengthier sentence than would have been possible without that strike, and a defendant with two strikes may receive an even lengthier sentence. (See People v. Superior Court {Romero) (1996) 13 Cal.4th 497, 504-506 [53 Cal.Rptr.2d 789, 917 P.2d 628] {Romero).) In the present case, defendant has two prior felony convictions— (1)…