Crime and Punishment

[Infoproliferati]

The Economist published an interesting article which was overwhelmingly recommended by readers. The most fascinating line imo was:
"America needs fewer and clearer laws, so that citizens do not need a law degree to stay out of jail."

Here's the article: http://www.economist.com/node/166403...r/roughjustice

[fab]

The Economist published an interesting article which was overwhelmingly recommended by readers. The most fascinating line imo was:
"America needs fewer and clearer laws, so that citizens do not need a law degree to stay out of jail."

Here's the article: http://www.economist.com/node/166403...r/roughjustice

I don't know if you realize this, but in the states, lawyers create ambiguous laws to keep themselves occupied.

[Infoproliferati]

I don't know if you realize this, but in the states, lawyers create ambiguous laws to keep themselves occupied.

lol. Same as corporations that create irrelevant work to keep their employees busy.

[south]

lol. Same as corporations that create irrelevant work to keep their employees busy.

Only if they're union jobs. The rest of us send them home if there's nothing to do.

[katherine]

IMO the elected judges and sheriffs have every incentive to demonstrate they are 'tough' on crime. Some are downright extremist.
The result: the US puts more people behind bars than any other nation. Land of the not so free.

[Infoproliferati]

IMO the elected judges and sheriffs have every incentive to demonstrate they are 'tough' on crime. Some are downright extremist.
The result: the US puts more people behind bars than any other nation. Land of the not so free.

The irony is the state and fed governments can't afford to keep all these people locked up. Yet more and more people are sent to jail. The government then has to rely on privately run prisons to house some of these prisoners. During such economically strained times, the government can't afford to use tax dollars to pay private firms so they can help manage these criminals, who may only have committed petty crimes.

[Raider]

the US puts more people behind bars than any other nation. Land of the not so free.

I'm sure of the nearly 20 million illegal aliens living in the US, most would disagree with you.

[Arrogance]

U.S. is also one of the most violent nations on earth, thus more will be put in jail.... imo

[katherine]

I'm sure of the nearly 20 million illegal aliens living in the US, most would disagree with you.

That is, until they get caught, put behind bars and get deported

U.S. is also one of the most violent nations on earth, thus more will be put in jail.... imo

I would say that people are often jailed for petty offenses and victimless crimes like drug use. In more relaxed countries (Europe) you would get away with a fine.
But in the US, when you are in public office, you ought to be 'tough' on crime and show no mercy.
3-strike nonsense is not exactly helping either.

[Infoproliferati]

I think the mentality of being tough on crime has such a stronghold in the minds of Americans because it supposedly deters repeat offenses or crimes. Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City, was so tough on crime and wouldn't mind arresting Wall St workers who jay walked. He'd cuff all of them, hook them up to a chain and make them walk the few blocks to the police station to be booked. The crime drop in NYC during his tenure was quite impressive.

Being tough on crime doesn't solve why people commit crimes though. It's only a response which may offer short term safety solutions. In the long run it costs more than is worth the trouble of arresting Mr. X for jay walking.

[stock_post]

If you pick a plant of some ones property they give you lot of trouble for that. (Steeling a plant etc.)

Some one who ruin their lives with a bogus bank or some sort of white collar crime - you are excused.
Just take money from a lot of people and file bankrupt and that crime is OK.

Laws have to be adjusted so, all crimes are subjected to the same standard.

Mortgage scam, banks and their part made a lot of people suffer a log and I did not see any one put in jail.
-- Hope Justice comes to the people who lost all their savings.

[Arrogance]

That is, until they get caught, put behind bars and get deported


I would say that people are often jailed for petty offenses and victimless crimes like drug use. In more relaxed countries (Europe) you would get away with a fine.
But in the US, when you are in public office, you ought to be 'tough' on crime and show no mercy.
3-strike nonsense is not exactly helping either.

I agree with that premise to a certain extent.
The 3 strikes rule in some states, notably California, produces some interesting headlines ("Man steals loaf of bread, jailed for life under 3rd strike law") type of scenarios.

I doubt the laws will be codified (or significantly reformed) anytime soon due to the amount of red tape, both sides accusing the other of being harsh/soft etc.