People v. Vargas

Opinion

WERDEGAR, J.

We consider in this case whether two prior convictions arising out of a single act against a single victim can constitute two strikes under the Three Strikes law. We conclude they cannot.

Introduction

The consequences in this state of repeated criminal conduct changed dramatically in 1994. First the Legislature, 1 and then the electorate, 2 introduced into this state’s jurisprudence what is now known collectively as the Three Strikes law. Under that law, if a defendant reoffends after having suffered a first qualifying felony conviction, a doubled sentence is mandatory. If,…