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I generally agree with your point of view on this topic, especially when it comes to underage offenders. It seems to me, though, that this is one of those exceptional cases where the defender poses too much danger to society to let him back on the streets in a matter of months. I don't want some kid's life ruined because he shoplifted some electronics or sold some weed. This is different, and at least for me, crosses a line that warrants a few years away from the rest of us.
This, plus intent.
It's called a strict liability crime and acts as a general deterrent to committing the crime in the first place.
I don't think it acts as a general deterrent at all because very few people think about the unintended consequences.
I guess. I'm not so sure about that. Part of punishment upon tragic event is restitution to the victim and retribution for society. That's how I look at it, but finer minds than mine have disagreed.
This is another one of these issues in which I can’t stand the existing alternatives: either I’m for giving the police and courts tons of power and not worry about injustice or inequalities in the system, or I’m for letting violent criminals run rampant in the streets.
I guess the counter to the bolded is that locking John Doe away really doesn't do either of those things. I'm with @parasaurolophus on this in that the behavior is the issue rather than the luck of the outcome.
Gee, tim. Sounds like you're a centrist Democrat. LOL. Your lament for the past twelve years.
I wasn’t a fan of Obama’s policies, especially the Affordable Care Act. I’ve since reconsidered.
I think this view makes the most logical sense but I think the problem is that it can contribute to outcomes that seem unjust.
I'm assuming you mean the punishments would seem unjust? If so, I'd argue that will happen regardless, as long as some folks believe punishments should be based on outcome while others believe punishments should be based on behavior (and to some degree, intent). To use para's example, quoted below, some of see the outcome as unjust, while others would see the opposite.
