What is the most important factor when society decides on the punishment for a crime?
This could apply to any country so all answers welcome.
As far as I can see the main reasons for having a judicial system of punishment are
- Deterent against offending in the first place
- Provide Justice to victims of crime
- Prevent further offending through sanctions
- Rehabilitation of offenders
- To provide society with reassurance
If you were a judge passing sentence what order would the above considerations feature for you? When you consider all the above points which type of punishment most effectively fulfils all 5 for serious crimes? Feel free to add more factors if you have them.
By: Lot in his cave
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Filed under Law & Ethics by on Jan 2nd, 2010. 
Comments on What is the most important factor when society decides on the punishment for a crime?
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I believe the whole purpose of punishment must be to deter further crime. Justice is blind. It can’t be used for revenge. Not on a societal level.
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I think felony level crimes against persons should be “one-strike-and-you’re-out” with life without parole. Time and time again we see the pattern of repeat offenders in these crimes, and it is beyond me why we allow our justice system to continue to return these people to society.
I am against the death penalty, because it makes new victims out of the inmate’s innocent family members. We can show THEM mercy by incarcerating rather than executing.
Cruelty to animals is a primary indicator of violent anti-social behavior, and it should be dealt with strongly with rehabilitation in juveniles, to stem the tide of adult’s with violent anti-social behavior.
Other non-violent offices should receive sanctions (prison, restitution, community service, etc.) appropriate to the offense, followed by rehabilitation.