Government: Three-strikes Rule to Be Reintroduced for Petty Theft

Bratislava, 19 November (TASR) - The three-strikes rule should be reintroduced in the Penal Code for petty theft, with repeat offenders becoming criminally liable in case of repeated thefts, according to an amendment to the Penal Code approved by the government at its session on Wednesday. Offenders should be sent to prison for two years after committing a similar offence against property three times within one year. The amendment is also set to change the Distraint Code. Distraint offices will be able to impose coercive measures to recover compensation for damage caused by a crime or misdemeanour. The government has proposed that Parliament should deal with the amendment via a short-track legislative procedure. "In order to calm down tension in society and satisfy demands made by retailers, mayors of towns and villages regarding [the need for] tougher action against these offenders, the draft amendment proposes a change to the classification of theft under Section 212 of the Penal Code and, in the spirit of the slogan 'three times is enough', introduces criminal liability for the third consecutive such offence against property," states the explanatory report on the legislation sponsored by the Justice Ministry. In order to make it easier to enforce payment of compensation for damage caused by a crime or offence, the Distraint Code should allow for the imposition of a coercive measure when enforcing these claims. The government is thereby responding to an increase in the number of property crimes and increased aggression in society. It blamed the higher rate of petty theft and aggression by the perpetrators on the media, "which carried out a disinformation campaign, and some political leaders who misleadingly informed the public that theft is non-punishable and pays". The government proposed that the amendment should become effective on the date of its announcement. ko/df