A Fitting Punishment

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I thought this was a good punishment:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080126/ap_ ... s_sentence

PAINESVILLE, Ohio - A Salvation Army worker who was ordered by a judge to spend a night homeless for stealing a holiday kettle containing about $250 returned to court Friday with red eyes and red cheeks.
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Nathen Smith who was fitted with a GPS device to track his moves, spent Thursday night ducking in and out of government buildings for warmth, including a stop at the Lake County sheriff's office.

Smith also walked through a park, but did not go under a bridge where many of Painesville's homeless sleep, probation supervisor David Washlock said.

"It's hard to find a spot to go that's warm, unless you're inside," an unshaven Smith told Municipal Judge Michael Cicconetti, who issued the sentenced.

Smith, 28, worked as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army outside a Kmart store in nearby Eastlake on Dec. 17. Police arrested Smith at his mother's house after a co-worker reported that one of eight kettles was missing.

The Salvation Army uses kettle donations to help pay for food, clothing and shelter for the homeless.

Smith, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of theft, still must serve three days in jail, do eight hours of community service, get a general equivalency diploma and find a job, the judge said.

Painesville is about 30 miles northeast of Cleveland.

I find it disturbing.

We are supposed to be guaranteed against cruel and unusual punishment... some judges and prosecutors have found a loophole in that guarantee by demanding that people make spectacles of themselves as part of the terms of their probation...

I think the man's rights were violated... the max sentence was a year in jail, and i'm sure the judge told him, either take the maximum or do this stunt...

Judges should not have the power to demand a man risk his life by hanging a harsh sentence over his head...

That's what they used to do in the old days, public humiliation, the stocks. If it works, I'm for it. I'm sick of criminality. It's so common.

I think he deserved it. He got to sample the life that he was stealing from.

I have to admit I think this whole concept of 'plea bargain' to be stupid. Also the idea of retribution justice is flawed because law is supposed to be there for everyone, it is not to suit a victim/some victims.

I heard that on the radio and I loved that judges idea! It would also cut down on public costs of housing him, paying for his food, etc..

Because the punishment fits, wear it! topic

The convicted criminal n. smith must also pay back the $250 he stole. Plus interest!