HR 8064
Career Criminal Accountability Act of 2026
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Bill overview
The Career Criminal Accountability Act of 2026 aims to increase sentencing for individuals convicted of multiple serious crimes. Specifically, it modifies existing law to define ‘three-strikes’ offenders more broadly, expanding the types of offenses that can contribute to a defendant’s strike count. The bill also proposes enhanced consecutive sentences for offenders designated as ‘three-strikes,’ potentially leading to longer prison terms depending on the nature of the underlying offenses and prior convictions. Finally, it restricts the application of sentencing enhancements based on misdemeanor convictions.
Key provisions
- Expands the definition of ‘three-strikes’ offenders to include a wider range of misdemeanor and felony offenses.
- Establishes a system for calculating strike counts, with misdemeanors counting as one-quarter of a strike and certain felonies counting as one-half or one strike.
- Provides for enhanced consecutive sentences of 10, 15, or life imprisonment based on the severity of the underlying offenses and prior convictions.
- Prohibits sentencing enhancements based on misdemeanor convictions that contribute to a defendant reaching the ‘three-strikes’ threshold.
- Defines ‘three-strikes offender’ based on the accumulation of three or more strikes through prior convictions.
- Specifies that all strikes must stem from a single episode of criminal action, with exceptions for justifiable resistance to law enforcement.
- Clarifies the types of offenses considered ‘strike-eligible’ through a detailed list.
- Addresses juvenile offenses, limiting strike accrual for juvenile convictions.
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. R. 8064
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for sentencing of three strikes offenders.
This Act may be cited as the Career Criminal Accountability Act of 2026
.
Section 3553(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking The court shall impose
and inserting Except as otherwise provided in section 3559A, the court shall impose
.
Subchapter A of chapter 227 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
by adding at the end the following:
A defendant shall not accrue any strikes for any misdemeanor convictions for offenses committed while the defendant was a juvenile.
Any convictions for strike-eligible nonviolent or firearm-related felony offenses in cases in which the defendant was a juvenile shall result in the accrual of only one-quarter (¼) strike.
Any convictions for strike-eligible violent felony offenses in cases in which the defendant was a juvenile shall result in the accrual of only one-half (½) strike.
have a consecutive sentence of 10 years imprisonment added to the sentence for the offenses of which the defendant was convicted if the most serious underlying offense in the instant case is a nonviolent felony set forth in subparagaphs (D) through (T) of subsection (e)(2);
have a consecutive sentence of life imprisonment added to the sentence for the offenses of which the defendant was convicted if—
the defendant has been convicted of strike-eligible offenses on at least two prior occasions;
at least three of the defendant’s strikes stem from convictions for strike-eligible felony offenses; and
For purposes of this section:
the instant strike-eligible offense of which the defendant is convicted constitutes an offense set forth in subparagraphs (D) through (JJJ) of paragraph (2); and
the defendant has, inclusive of the conviction for the instant offense and accounting for desistance credits, accrued three (3) or more strikes through prior convictions.
A defendant may not be deemed a three-strikes offender if all the defendant’s strikes are the result of convictions in one or more cases stemming from a single episode of criminal action. If all the defendant’s strikes are the result of convictions stemming from two episodes of criminal action, each episode must include at least one (1) strike-eligible felony conviction for the defendant to be deemed a three-strikes offender.
The term strike eligible offense means any of the following (and includes, with regard to each offense, any attempt or conspiracy to commit the offense):
Section 404 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 844).
Section 873 of title 18, United States Code.
Any State-level misdemeanor unlawful possession of a firearm offense.
Section 371 of title 18, United States Code.
Section 401(a)(1) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1)).
Section 2285 of title 18, United States Code.
Section 274 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324).
Any State-level burglary offense.
Any State-level extortion charge.
Any State-level drug trafficking/distribution/possession with intent to deliver offense.
Any State-level felon in possession of a firearm offense.
Any State-level firearms trafficking offense.
Section 1959 of title 18, United States Code.
Any State-level first- and second-degree murder offenses.
Any State-level sexual assault or rape offenses.
Any State-level child molestation offense.
Any State-level robbery and aggravated/armed robbery offense.
Any assault with a deadly weapon offense.
Section 1201 of title 18, United States Code.
Section 1512 of title 18, United States Code.
Section 1513 of title 18, United States Code.
Any State-level carjacking offenses.
Any State-level assault on a police officer offense.
The term single episode of criminal action means an event or continuous series of events related to the furtherance of a single criminal act, excluding the defendant’s violent resistance of any law-enforcement officer or citizens acting lawfully in defense of themselves or another that proximately causes death or serious bodily harm to the officer, citizen, or any other person.
in the table of sections, by adding at the end the following: