How do you feel about mandatroy sentences for first offenders? Would it reduce crime, or create a bigger problem?
2006-12-05 03:26:34 · 3 answers · asked by By Your Command 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Mandatory minima are a blight on the criminal justice system. They take the "scalpal" of judicial (or parole board) discretion and carefully considered sentencing guidelines (in many states) and replace it with a "hatchet" of across-the-board sentences, regardless of the underlying circumstances. We've heard about the guys in California who were put away for life for stealing less than $100 worth of stuff (yeah, that's good use of taxpayers' money) and other injustices, and we saw California immediately move away from the 3 strikes and you're out mentality.
The problem is, mandatory minima do little to reduce recidivism and would certainly not motivate people not to be first-time offenders. If you want to taylor judges' discretion, whatever fine, but do it with MORE categories to make similar people get similar sentences, not LESS.
2006-12-05 03:32:13 · answer #1 · answered by Perdendosi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People who are soft on crime are usually not the victoms of crime. The consensous is that Prisons create more criminals. This leads to the theory that we should not imprison anyone. The fact is that people create crimes because they do not fear the legal system. There should be a set punishment for all crimes. The sentences for the crime are set and judges are then not allowed to give special favors due to who your parents are, who your lawyer is, or how much money you have. Do the crime, serve the crime. This makes the system a little more fair. Find the truth. The legal system should not be blind. It should not be a contest between lawyers trying to manipulate their win/loss record. Criminals need to punished. Everyone should be responsible and accountable for their actions. Punishement should be fair and humane. Do you realize the some 68% of criminals released from prison return to prison. Maybe if criminals were to stay in prison, crime would go down 68%.
2006-12-05 03:47:50 · answer #2 · answered by ThePerfectStranger 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mandatory sentences just fill prisons.
Prisons are finishing schools for criminals
They go into jail as scared kids,come out as criminals
Tagging and community service for first offences,unless its murder
2006-12-05 03:36:03 · answer #3 · answered by salforddude 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋