Author of 3-Strikes Law Attacks Cooley

The author of California’s three-strikes law on Wednesday accused incoming Los Angeles Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley of preparing to “let career, serious and violent criminals off the hook” if their third felonies are nonviolent.

“It’s just a matter of time,” California Secretary of State Bill Jones said, “before one of these violent career criminals who could have been removed from our neighborhoods for a nonviolent felony will be released to rape, rob, molest or murder innocent Californians.”

“With three strikes, our message to career criminals has been clear: Clean up your act, go to jail or leave the state,” he added. “Unfortunately, Dist. Atty.-elect Steve Cooley has just placed a welcome mat for career criminals at Los Angeles County’s doorstep.”

In a prepared statement, Cooley said: “Mr. Jones need not worry that three-strikes felons will be ‘let off the hook.’ ”

“My policy . . . is clear: It is designed to assure proportionate justice and evenhanded application of the law,” he said.

“My policy will be predictable and consistent, while recognizing that three-strikes is a powerful tool to be used against recidivist predator criminals,” he said. “The law will be used to seek 25 [years] to life for violent felons.”