Penal code: It should take a violent or serious offense to trigger the last strike of the three strikes law. Interest in amending the three strikes sentencing law is growing in the state Legislature. A bill has been introduced that would limit the thirdstrike trigger, which mandates a sentence of 25 years to life, to violent or serious offenses only. It's a good idea. Justice must be measured, rational and proportionate or it isn't justice. Any legislation that promotes a punishment scheme not in conformity with this basic principle of fairness is unjust. California's three strikes law, providing life sentences for relatively minor offenses, is such a law. [continues 449 words]