United States Ninth Circuit

Petitioner's 25-years-to-life sentence under California's "Three Strikes" law is grossly disproportionate to his nonviolent shoplifting offenses and violates the Eighth Amendment. Grant of habeas relief is affirmed.

Appellate Information

• Argued 07/18/2003
• Decided 04/19/2004
• Published 04/19/2004

Judges

• WARDLAW, Circuit Judge:, Before:  NOONAN, KLEINFELD, and WARDLAW, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Ninth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
• Bill Lockyer, Attorney General of the State of California;  Robert R. Anderson, Chief Assistant Attorney General;  Gary W. Schons, Senior Assistant Attorney General;  Raquel M. Gonzalez, Supervising Deputy Attorney General;  and Quisteen S. Shum, Deputy Attorney General, San Diego, CA for the respondent-appellant., Petitioner-appellee Isaac Ramirez in pro se.