What types of offenses might trigger 'three strikes laws'?

Three strikes laws are designed to impose harsher sentences on individuals who are convicted of multiple serious crimes, typically felonies. The rationale behind these laws is to deter repeat offenders by ensuring that after a specific number of serious offenses, the penalties become significantly more severe.

Serious criminal offenses are typically categorized as felonies, which include violent crimes such as robbery, murder, and aggravated assault, as well as serious drug offenses. These types of offenses not only pose a greater risk to public safety but also reflect a pattern of criminal behavior, justifying the need for stricter penalties under three strikes laws.

In contrast, minor traffic violations, first-time misdemeanors, and white-collar crimes do not usually trigger three strikes laws since they are not considered serious enough to warrant such extreme sentencing measures. Misdemeanors, for example, are generally less serious crimes that would not typically cause sufficient harm to justify the severe repercussions of a three strikes system.