‘3-Strikes’ Cases

Your editorial (“L.A. Courts Staggering Under ‘3-Strikes’ Load,” Dec. 11) misses the biggest cost pressure: The district attorney’s office’s policy of using the high-end sentencing under “three strikes” for nonviolent drug users. The policy makes plea-bargaining difficult, does not solve the addict’s problem or the drug problem and fills prisons with nonviolent people. It costs us taxpayers, whether the state or the county pays for it. The district attorney should use common sense, like they do in other counties. If not, the power should be given back to the judges.

DAVE ENGLISH

Rancho Palos Verdes

The new crime statistics (Dec. 18) prove that “three strikes” is working. Now let’s get on with the death penalty.

ELIZABETH KACY

Santa Monica