gamerdude69 t1_j8pi2e5 wrote on February 16, 2023 at 12:39 AM

Reply to comment by Enlightened-Beaver in Lamar Johnson freed 28 years after wrongful murder conviction by CommanderMcBragg

Implication 2: nobody would work in criminal justice ever again.

Implication 3: we would pay 10s of millions in taxpayer money putting all these people away for that kind of time, on top of still needing to pay the victim. Instead of putting it to use helping more people in greater ways

Not to mention, a judge doesn't decide guilt. Or a lawyer. Jurors do, and they'd vote innocent every time to avoid the risk. People would murder with impunity.

Enlightened-Beaver t1_j8pic5o wrote on February 16, 2023 at 12:41 AM

Nah you are using hyperbole. You’re literally saying if actions had consequences the legal system would collapse. Not quite how that works.

gamerdude69 t1_j8pikdf wrote on February 16, 2023 at 12:43 AM

If the actions had consequences that extreme, it might collapse. Imagine if you got the death penalty for going over the speed limit. There would be way fewer drivers

Enlightened-Beaver t1_j8pjec8 wrote on February 16, 2023 at 12:49 AM

Are you actually comparing incarcerating a human being FOR 3 DECADES to going over the speed limit?

gamerdude69 t1_j8pkcq2 wrote on February 16, 2023 at 12:56 AM

No, I think you're missing my point. I'm saying if the consequences for a mistake are so severe, people won't even attempt that thing anymore. You're putting prosecuting lawyers (and everyone else you mentioned) in a situation that is too precarious: they risk going to prison for 28 years for messing up their job, but if they get too timid, they let a potentially dangerous criminal to go free and then blood is on their hands.

Enlightened-Beaver t1_j8pkqli wrote on February 16, 2023 at 12:59 AM

Putting someone in jail for life is extreme so if you do it you better be 100% sure with zero doubt that you’ve got the right person.

What happens when it’s the death penalty and they execute the wrong guy?

Oopsies? My bad…….