Friday, October 3, 2008

Leader's debate -- a question from a criminal lawyer -- not me

I'm watching the federal leaders' debate, and they just started talking about criminal justice policy. Mr. Harper acknowledged that violent crime rates were generally decreasing, but stressed that gang crime was a source of concern. If I had the opportunity to pose a question, it would be thus:
 
If gang members are already consciously willing to undertake substantially heightened risks of becoming victims of severe beatings, stabbings and shootings at the hands of rival and fellow gang members, and accept these consequences as simply the costs of doing business, why on earth do you think that the prospect of a longer period in jail will be a more effective deterrent than the threat of being crippled or killed?

James Morton
1100 - 5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
M2N 6P4

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

"If gang members are already consciously willing to undertake substantially heightened risks of becoming victims of severe beatings, stabbings and shootings at the hands of rival and fellow gang members, and accept these consequences as simply the costs of doing business, why on earth do you think that the prospect of a longer period in jail will be a more effective deterrent than the threat of being crippled or killed?"

We all know that crimes in our society are committed by a small minority of peoples. I think you sir would agree with me on this.By putting these criminals behind bars for longer periods,they wouldn't be on our street threatening society.

If I take your logic here sir,why do we even bother to put criminals behind?

I just want to give my opinion on the death penalty since we are talking about criminal justice policies. I personally and I think a large portion of our great Country maybe not for the same reasons as I,don't believe in capital punishment. Because in my opinion it is too dangerous. In the sense that innocent people could and probably would fall threw the cracks.

We do live in a system where we're innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonably doubt.Our system is not perfect,but then what is in life?

This is why I prefer longer prison terms. At least behind bars if an innocent person happens to fall threw the cracks,that person can be compensate with $$$ is it perfect? Of course not! Good post sir.

Anonymous said...

"If gang members are already consciously willing to undertake substantially heightened risks of becoming victims of severe beatings, stabbings and shootings at the hands of rival and fellow gang members, and accept these consequences as simply the costs of doing business, why on earth do you think that the prospect of a longer period in jail will be a more effective deterrent than the threat of being crippled or killed?"

Morton, come on man, you gotta be smarter than that.

You put people in jail for the crimes they commit. Period. Why do leftists try to use the retarded argument that longer jail sentences dont deter crime.

It's like saying eating candy dont deter people from getting cavities.

Immature argument at best.

In the USA, killers get life without parole or death.

In Canada, 99% of killers get out and do more crime.

You choose whaich country you like better.