D.C. Councilman Phil Mendelson wants criminals who push, punch or spit on someone to face harsher penalties if they’re convicted of those actions three times. Those crimes are typically categorized as simple assaults, a misdemeanor that’s punishable by a $1,000 fine and up to 180 days in jail. But under a bill the at-large councilman is pushing, a third simple assault conviction would automatically become a felony assault, which raises the stakes to a $3,000 fine and up to three years in prison. In the case of a third simple assault charge, the U.S. Attorney’s Office also wouldn’t be able to lower the charge in a plea deal.

Mendelson said that’s key.