The application of the three-strikes law has led to some extremely concerning sentencing outcomes. Since its introduction, the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court have all ruled that sentences imposed under the three-strikes regime have contravened the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. When we consider the distorting effect on sentence outcomes, it is clear that we would need to see strong evidence of the effectiveness of this law to justify its continued existence. However, there is little evidence that the three-strikes law has worked as intended: to deter or prevent any kind of serious crime.