California Court of Appeal September 10, 2001, F034666 (People v. Casillas)

Opinion

GOMES, J.

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The criminal law often punishes more harshly an accused who already has a criminal conviction than an accused who has none. The three strikes law is one example. (Pen. Code, §§ 667, subds. (b)-(i), 1170.12, subds. (b)-(e).) Petty theft with a prior is another. (Pen. Code, § 666.) Vehicle Code sections 23152 and 23550 constitute yet another.