What do you think should American service members who commit crimes in Iraq be punished by the US or Iraq?

Question

Crimes such as the alleged rape and murder of the young girl and her family in Iraq

Answer 1

No matter what the crime is - an accused still has several legal rights granted by the US Constitution. Unless a foreign or international court also guarantees those rights - we cannot release somebody to them without violating our own laws.

Besides, we all know that in the US there will be a fair and open trial. We cannot count on this happening anywhere else.

Answer 2

The United States is one of the few countries that will not allow it's soldiers to be tried in a foreign or international court. This is done to (theoretically) prevent mass war crime trials against the entire army. There is also a long standing tradition in the military of dealing with their own. Arguments have been made both ways on the subject. I would rather we severely deal with our own miscreants before anyone else, but I also feel that allowing the international courts/community intercede in such situations is justifiable; but to insure that all rights of those involved are maintained I would not use a local legal system as they may be swayed by local emotions.

Answer 3

Long time ago a Soldier who commited crimes was not even given a Jury Trial, they were instead shot to death for horrific misconduct unless Pardoned by the President.

If that was still true today the Soldiers that commited Rape would be Shot to death right now by our own Military because Bush would never Pardon such for the Crimes.

Answer 4

Military personnel are pretty much exempt from all "normal" law. The punishment they get from the military system is WAY worse than what they'd get in a civilian court. They'll get demoted, have their pay taken away, thrown in the brig, and get a dis-honorable discharge. That discharge alone, will screw them for the rest of their lives. They can't go to school or get a job with DH discharge. Plus, if the military board deems the crime bad enough, they'll have them finish their time in service in the brig, then have them transferred to a civilian prison when they're officially kicked out of the military. Oh.... and if the brig and all that isn't good enough for say murder, the death penalty is still very much alive in the military judicial system... just not talked about much!

Answer 5

They are subject only to US law. It is my personal opinion that if they are found guilty they should have televised Hangings after a speech by Bush (translated to Arabic) and Talibani (Iraq's president) telling everyone in Iraq that we will punish those who commit such crimes.

Answer 6

WOW! GOOD Q!

How about it depends on whos laws are being violated?, nah, rape is gonna be against both countries laws. Same as murder. Hmmmm
tough one.

I say give them to the Iraqis, no instant guilty, for sure, even if they wre innocent.

So the Military of the USA should do it!

I know it happens, remember the movie 'Casualities of War" with MJ FOX AND SEAN PENN?
The true story of that type of crime in Viet nam. They were caught and punished!

It shows the world that we really are the good guys, I think!

Answer 7

Iraq

Answer 8

Should be punished in Iraq, cause you know if Iraq dude did that in America he would not be going home...

They should get the medival treatment i.e. plyers and blowtorch

Answer 9

Maybe a third party like Sweden, where the war-crimes tribunals are held.

Answer 10

i think that both sides should. first let the military discharge them and then let them rot in the foreign countries jail or let them punish how they see fit. if you can't do the time don't do the crime.