"Three strikes" laws, which impose severe prison sentences for third felony convictions, are a popular crime-fighting tool that has been extensively applied nationwide. However, questions remain about the laws' usefulness and appropriateness. The California law has been unevenly applied to a broad range of offenses and has resulted in unintended consequences throughout the criminal justice system. Before the overall impact of three strikes laws can be evaluated, several major subject areas must be addressed, namely, the laws' impact on: (1) the commission of crime; (2) arrest behavior; (3) plea bargaining, trials, and costs; (4) early release; (5) trials, civil proceedings, and personnel; (6) fairness, drugs, and race; (7) prison costs; and (8) released prisoners. Three strikes laws are still in a period of transition as States grapple with voter demands for crime solutions, but there is no hard evidence that the laws have had a deterrent effect on crime commission. References, appendix