A GET-TOUGH LAW THAT MAKES SENSE

Much of the get-tough-on-crime talk in Tallahassee is political showboating.
Legislators are quick to favor solutions - chain gangs are a prime example -
that cost little but win headlines.

On the other hand, legislators have been less enthusiastic about more
expensive measure likely to get better results - building more prisons and
juvenile detention facilities, educating inmates and investing in better
schools.

Public outrage over out-of-control crime finally forced lawmakers a few
years ago to shore up the criminal justice system. Crime has been cut,
thanks to more prisons and tougher sentences, but it has hardly gone away.

The latest figures show that Florida's violent crime rate is the highest in
the country, two-thirds higher than the national average.

So now comes another get-tough bill, with an imposing title, the
``Three-Strike Violent Felony Offender Act.'' But there is substance along
with the histrionics.

The measure, similar to a highly successful law in California, would
guarantee that violent offenders remained behind bars.

The legislation would impose mandatory prison terms when a criminal commits
a third violent felony, such as rape, robbery or manslaughter, within five
years of a previous felony.

Companion bills are being sponsored by state Rep. Victor Crist and state
Sen. Tom Lee, both of Hillsborough.

The mandatory sentences would be based on the severity of the third violent
crime. For instance, if the third crime were a third-degree felony, such as
aggravated assault, the bill would impose a mandatory five-year sentence. If
the third violent crime were a second-degree felony, such as rape, a 15-year
mandatory sentence would be imposed. If the third violent crime were a life
felony, such as armed robbery, the bill would impose life in prison.

California achieved spectacular results with a similar measure. The state
ran 30-second TV ads warning potential criminals that they faced decades in
the slammer if they committed violent acts. The city of Fresno reported a 50
percent drop in armed robberies during the first six months after the bill
was adopted. The state's crime rate declined nearly 10 percent, the largest
drop in its history, the year after the law was enacted.

According to criminal justice officials, California's three-strike
legislation has contributed to the prevention of more than 3,000 murders,
6,000 rapes, 124,000 robberies and 82,000 assaults.

Calculating the costs of investigation, prosecution and incarceration, lost
property and such, the California attorney general's office estimates the
measure has resulted in $14 billion in savings.

The Crist-Lee bill includes other crime-fighting provisions in addition to
the three-strike strategy. It would establish 10-year mandatory prison terms
for repeat rapists who commit a second rape within 10 years and three-year
mandatory prison terms for criminals who commit aggravated assault or
aggravated battery on a person 65 years old or older or on a law enforcement
officers.

We understand the concerns of those who feel the ``three strikes'' approach
will be too inflexible, that it might lead to unjust sentences.

BUT THE MEASURE takes such concerns into account. The violent crimes
required for a ``three strikes'' sentence are serious - assault, rape,
robbery, manslaughter and such. And the harsh sentences are applied to
repeat violent offenders. It's not as if these lawbreakers haven't had a
chance to turn their lives around. Remember, too, that both judges and
prosecutors have the discretion to address special circumstances.
California's law has not resulted in abuse.

Police officers and prosecutors have long argued the surest way to cut crime
is to put criminals in prison. They are correct. When a criminal is behind
bars, he cannot rape, rob or murder. That is why this sensible and fair
Crist-Lee measure deserves support.