1. HaroldSowards
CJ 322, Tu/Th 9:30
8/31/15
Ewing v. California
538 U.S. 11 (2003)
1. Facts
Gary Ewingconvictedina CaliforniaTrial courtof felonygrandtheftandsentencedto
25 yrs to life underthe state’sthree-strikeslaw
CaliforniaCourtof Appeal,SecondAppellateDistrictaffirmsthe sentence
State Supreme Courtdeniedthe review andcertiorari wasgranted
Supreme Courtheldthatthe sentence didn’tviolate the 8th
Amendment
In 1984, he pleadedguiltytotheftandwas sentencedtoa suspended6monthsentence
injail with3 yrsprobationanda $300 fine
In 1988, convictedof felonygrandtheftautoand sentencedto1yr injail and3 yr
probationandonce probationwascompletedthe courtreducedthe crime toa
misdemeanorandwaspermittedtowithdraw hisguiltypleaandcase was dismissed
In 1990, convictedof pettytheftwitha priorand sentencedto60 days incountyjail and
3 yrs probation
In 1992, convictedof batteryand sentencedto30 days incountyjail and 2 yrs summary
probation
Month later,convictedof theftandsentencedtojail for10 days and12 months’
probation
In January1993, convictedof burglaryandsentencedto60 days incountyjail and one
year’ssummaryprobation
In February1993, convictedof possessingdrugparaphernaliaandsentencedto6
monthsincountyjail and 3 yrsprobation
In July1993, convictedof appropriatinglostpropertyandsentencedto10 days in
countyjail and 2 yrs’ summaryprobation
In September1993, convictedof unlawfullypossessingafirearmandtrespassingand
sentencedto30 days inthe county jail and1 yr probation
In Octoberand November1993, committedthree burglariesandone robberyata Long
Beach,Californiaapartmentcomplex over5weeks
In December1993, arrestedon the premisesof the apartmentcomplex fortrespassing
and lyingtoa police officer
Juryconvictedhimof 1st
degree robberyandthree countsof residential burglaryand
was sentencedto9 yrsand 8 monthsinprison,paroledin1999
10 monthslater,stole the golf clubsandchargedwithand convictedof one countof
felonygrandtheftof personal propertyinexcessof $400
Sentencedto25 yrs to life underthe 3 strikeslaw
2. 2. Issue
Is Ewing’ssentence of 25yrs to life unconstitutionallydisproportionatetohisoffense of
shopliftingthree golf clubs?
Wouldotherjurisdictionswithoutthe three-strikepenaltypunishthe same offense conduct?
3. Holdings
No, affirmed
No
4. Reasoning
Californiaenactedthe 3strikes penaltytoprotectpublicsafetybyincapacitatingcriminalswho
have alreadybeenconvictedof atleastone serious/violentcrime andnothinginthe 8th
amendmentprohibitedthemfrommakingthislaw.Due tohislongcriminal record,itisnot
entirelydisproportionateof hissentencetomatchthe crime.
