The classical school of criminology states that punishment should be severe, certain and swift and certainty is the most crucial category. In cities across the country, the three strikes rule is widespread. Individuals can be sentenced to life in prison for committing a crime that falls within the guidelines as a serious crime if it is their third crime. However, the law has no substantial effect on decreasing crime. In the city of Atlanta, 105 rapes defined as illicit sexual intercourse occurred. There was also a significant amount of aggravated assaults with 2,965 total crimes in 2013. The three strike-your-out-laws lack the most important aspect of Beccaria, which is certainty of punishment. An individual who knows that he may be prosecuted for two crimes before receiving a certain punishment does not deter crime; it allows crime to continue to exist