The “three strikes” law refers to the rule in which when one has several serious or violent felonies, their punishments will become increasingly harsher. In California, the three strikes law works as follows:

• First strike: first violent or serious felony conviction and sentencing is based on standard sentencing guidelines.

• Second strike: if a person has a singular prior violent felony conviction, any new felony conviction will be double the punishment. 

• Third strike: if the person is convicted of a third felony, they will have a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years.