I love America and I love our court system, but the lack of standardized punishments for convictions really drives me up the wall. Consider the recent case of 15-year old Anthony Stewart, who will receive a 6 year sentence for stealing 7 cents (see original story here). There are serial rape offenders who do not even receive 6 year sentences! Consider the following discrepancies:
- A hit-and-run driver kills a man. Gets 2 years in prison. (Story here)
- A man rapes three minors. Gets 10 years probation. (Story here)
- A woman is lewd with a minor. Gets life in prison. (Story here)
- A (severely mentally disabled) 13-year old is accused of raping a woman. Gets life in prison without parol. (Story here)
And now a 15-year old is about to get a 6-year sentence for stealing 7 cents. Punishment for the guilty is just, but try and make it fit the crime, please! Some consistency in our courts is desperately needed. Otherwise, justice is just the whim of a judge.
Well, seven cents and a punch to the face. Doesn’t make it less absurd, to be sure. It’d be nice if the justice system had a bit more justice.
‘Course in the second case I’m somewhat inclined to think that the only just way to deal with such a situation is via gelding, but whatever. 😛
I agree, gelding is much more appropriate than probation for such an offense. I think if perpetrators knew that would be their consequence, there would be far fewer offenders.
And fewer repeat offenders, would be my guess.
Lol, that’s for certain!