Elinda wrote:
Edit to add that it would also seem to serve society better if the judges doling out these novel punishments had some idea what the behavioral outcome might be.
And that where there's a bit of mystery. I suppose one would like to assume that a judge providing a novel punishment has some idea of the consequences, or has good reason to believe that the particular situation warrants this novel punishment, for whatever reason. You know, something beyond feeling overly bored, frustrated or sadistic that day.
In this case, it just seems odd overall. I mean I can see a judge rolling their eyes because given all the problems in the city they have to take time to hear a case about some borderline neglectful parent who goes tries to press charges on a couple of misbehaving teenagers she let watch her daughter. I don't know, as silly as the case is, it does make me wonder how you actually rule in such a case. I mean, it's not like you can turn away if the law says a crime was committed. At the same time it a little bit of a odd situation to begin with.
It's almost something you'd think would it thrown out if at all possible, but if you have to rule on it, what punishment is really appropriate in this case?
Edited, Jun 27th 2012 10:27am by someproteinguy