Show of HandsShow of Hands

Kay41 July 2nd, 2013 2:02pm

Do you think that the primary purpose of our legal system is to protect citizens or to punish offenders?

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JohnnyHelvetica
07/02/13 7:25 pm

I think the system revolves around rewarding the people on top.

DavesNotHere where am I
07/02/13 3:06 pm

Original intent was to keep us safe from the bad guys. Now I think it's both.

arste New York
07/02/13 1:46 pm

Definitely punitive. Everyone has their hand out and is sue crazy over the stupidest things.

TomM
07/02/13 11:23 am

To me the most important is to protect us from the criminals. Unfortunately our system doesn't reflect that. A lot of people are punished hard for something that didn't cause much or any harm to others.

eLucidate writing
07/02/13 9:15 am

Good question!

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Zod Above Pugetropolis
07/02/13 8:48 am

I want to think both, but from prosecuting "crimes" without victims to the early release of actual criminals for "good behavior", to allowing the unconscionable spying on innocent citizens, I don't see where much protecting is really getting done.

aurealis the sky
07/02/13 8:20 am

It's supposed to be both, but it seems to focus more and more on punishment.

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sneuby Philadelphia
07/02/13 8:07 am

I think it should be to protect citizens but it has turned into more of a punishment system

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rolltribe Ohio
07/02/13 8:18 am

I agree, especially considering we arrest people for victimless crimes. And that can't possibly be to protect people

Nukimo NC Dreaming of Far Away
07/02/13 2:27 pm

I agree! Most often winning a case is more important than making sure justice is done. It's easier to punish than take care of root causes.

jonny323
07/02/13 8:03 am

Definitely punishment, or we wouldn't fill our jails with drug users.

jonfrei the boonies
07/02/13 7:55 am

The only thing that can proactively protect you is you. The law simply displaces crime & punishes the offenders after the fact. "Protection" is a warm-fuzzy buzz-word that means nothing in this context.

jonny323
07/02/13 8:02 am

I would feel much safer in a place where murderers are locked up than in a place where they are not

rlands
07/02/13 7:09 am

Well it obviously hits two birds with one stone, but I think protection is the primary reason. This is why we put them away from everyone else. Otherwise we might just send them all to rehab.

rlands
07/02/13 7:10 am

Actually, you could argue that prison is a form of rehab...