COURT: '3 STRIKES' LAW UNCONSTITUTIONAL

A state appeals court ruled Wednesday that Florida's "three strikes" law is
unconstitutional, nullifying a statute Gov. Jeb Bush pledged to pass during
his campaign four years ago.

The 1999 law contains provisions unrelated to "three strikes," violating
the constitutional requirement that laws deal with only a single subject,
the court ruled.

The law requires that judges give maximum sentences to people who commit a
third violent crime. It also mandates maximum terms for drug dealers and
people who attack police or the elderly.

Bush said he would try to get the law re-enacted in the legislative session
that began Tuesday.