I believe that the victim of a crime should decide or help decide on the jail sentence/fine/etc. Any one agree

querry

I understand why you would think this, however,

there is an important reason that justice is supposed to be blind and impartial - and that means sticking to legal statutes and precedent in punishment fitting the crime(s).

Aside from a court sentencing, emotional damages, etc., can be sued for in civil court as well...

smartypants909

That is why the victim and/or their family is allowed to speak at the sentencing phase of the trial. They do have some input.

summerstar2117

jason navarrette

No, that's a dumb idea. What if the person is innocent? What guarantees do you have that the person who was found guilty is actually guilty?

Sure, you have lawyers and stuff, but if you believe they are infallible, you have to believe that OJ is innocent.

evo19933

I think that this is a very interesting point but realistically if it happened to you ,you would want them gone forever and you cant put every prisoner away for life

roundedge4113

definitely not.

It would entirely derail the concept of fair and equal punishment. The average person does not have a good enough understanding of the law to do this sort of thing and would also be completely blinded by their personal feelings.

also, what about stockholm syndrome?

xxkittenluvxx143

One thing I heard of

A man drove drunk and hit a young boy. The man wasnt injured at all. he was fined to life in prisonment with out paroll (like 3rd offense and 2 accident where someone was seriously wounded) ANd the family won a Judgement

The Parents were able to put one stipulation on their judgement. he has to send them 1 dollar every single day for the rest of his life. They wanted this because the money meant nothing, and since they would have to live with the consequence of his actions every day of their lives... so would he. They fealt that since they would think of their lost son every day... he should have to also.

hsrch

Yes. In fact, some jurisdictions allow victim impact statements at the sentencing hearing.

answermaster

I think this is a good plan...but what about people who don't want to do anything to punish.

carter_lansford

It would be nice, but against the "right to a trial before a fair and impartial jury of ones peers" (sic) clause. A victim would not and could not be "impartial".

laughter_every_day

Almost every state in the U.S. gives a victim a right to be heard at sentencing.

eastchic2001

That is why some counties use Victim Impact Statements. But their input should only be used to a certain extent. There are some victims who just seek vengance and would want to sentence a burglar to life in prison. There are also victims, for example very religious people, who would not want a murderer to get a tough sentence. You have to take into consideration how they feel, and how much the crime has impacted them, but only in subordination to what the prosecutor's office wants.

Knowitall

i agree and if the victim of the crime does nothing than the actor goes free. They are the victim they should have some say as to the punishment.

Other side of the coin. Bad guys now no that the victim has a say in the crime. They now intimidate the victim to do as they want or kill them. If the vitim does not belive that the actor is really bad and does not lock them up; society suffers because the actor will do it again to someone else.

Sloth

I understand where you are coming from but the, verdict and sentencing both need to be done by an uninvolved third party. This is the only way to be fair to the guilty party. Victims, and those close to a victom, tend to jump to conclusions and are only concerned with vindication.

Chris

Absolutely! It should definitely be a factor!

Lauren E

the pushiment should meet the crime!

Juan O

no , he wont be just it would have emotional tunnel vision , you see the ppl who comite a crime has rigth too , we need ppl with cold head take the decisions

CLM

I totally agree with you!!!!!!

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