Ewing v. California

2003

Court: US Supreme Court

Facts: Eqing was on parole and stole some golf clubs (3 of them, each worth $400). He had two or more serious or violent offenses in the past.

Posture: Convicted of one count of grand theft (>$400), sentenced to 25-life.

Issue: Does the Eighth Amendment prohibit CA's "three strikes" law?

Holding: No.

Rule: Legislative judgment with a rational basis is entitled to deference.

Reasoning: It's about incapacitation. His crime wasn't just the theft: it was the theft while on parole for other things. It is not irrational to punish recidivists more severely.

Dicta: Concurring: 8A is about modes of punishment, not proportions.