Pandej ChintrakarnMahidol University2018-06-112018-06-112012-01-01European Journal of Scientific Research. Vol.67, No.2 (2012), 176-1791450202X1450216X2-s2.0-84855455400https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/13511Understanding the underlying causes contributing to crime is an important research and policy question. The three-strikes laws have been in effect in 24 U.S. states and the federal government since their passage between December 1993 and January 1996. The objective of this study is to explore the impact of three-strikes laws on crime rates using panel data on 48 U.S. states from 1982-2003. Controlling the effects of per capital gross state product, the proportion of the population with at least a collage degree, per capita expenditure on police protection and unemployment rate, the results indicated that threestrikes laws had no stiatistically significant impact on crime rates. The results implied three-strikes laws failed to reduce crime in U.S. © EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2012.Mahidol UniversityAgricultural and Biological SciencesComputer ScienceEarth and Planetary SciencesEngineeringMaterials ScienceMathematicsArticleSCOPUS