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Three Strikes Law

NPR's Nina Totenberg reports that the U.S. Supreme Court today will hear arguments in two cases that challenge California's "Three strikes" law. Both cases involve men sentenced to long prison terms although shoplifting was their final strike -- an aspect of the law attorneys will argue to be cruel and unusual punishment, especially because property crimes are often punished more harshly than violent offenses.

Copyright 2002 NPR

Nina Totenberg is NPR's award-winning legal affairs correspondent. Her reports air regularly on NPR's critically acclaimed newsmagazines All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Weekend Edition.

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