Petty theft:
Tony Levis,
What is the cut-off amount for petty theft ?

>>What is the cut-off amount for petty theft ?<<

Dunno off-hand but it probably varies from State to State, so even if I looked it up the answer might be wrong depending on your geographical circumstances. Why don't you just google it instead of expecting me to the repository of all worldly knowledge?

I'm pretty sure that regardless of what State you're in that shoplifting $2.50 worth of merchandise does not constitute major theft and does not attract prison sentences well in excess of those handed down for robbery or assault. I would suggest that this is a good thing but you're welcome to disagree and I'm sure you will.

Cheers,

Tony

I liked this article and found the author presented an intelligent argument against mandatory sentencing.

I see the usual suspects of this site are out there already, baying for everyone's blood, and praising the violent Indonesian justice system.

Our Judges and jury system should be allowed to judge each crime on its own....because there are always different circumstances.
We can ill afford to 'bung up' every man and their dog for any little crime, and certainly not with mandatory prison sentencing.

We already have minimum sentences for certain levels of crime, and I think that is enough.
We can't keep paying out so much money keeping non-violent criminals in jail, when they can be given other punishments instead.

And yes, I have both a violent criminal, and a dead victim in my own family in the past....

Tony Lavis: I'm pretty sure that regardless of what State you're in that shoplifting $2.50 worth of merchandise does not constitute major theft and does not attract prison sentences well in excess of those handed down for robbery or assault.

Depends on how many times you "get Caught" stealing $2.50 worth of merchandise. I think 3 is enough.

Suseonline: because there are always different circumstances.

Of course there are dear. His father beat him. His mother molested him. He had his Teddy stolen at Kindy. He fell of his Bike. Boo Hoo, boo hoo. Therefore he's allowed to go & steal as much as he likes because you feel sorry for him. You probably want to marry him. Some women are attracted to crims, I believe.

Stiff Do do.

Having become depressed by the incidence of comments on this site that indicated just how crass some people are, I stopped reading it for several months. I just checked back in on an impulse to see if things had improved. Max Walker on Fiji and John Spender on mandatory sentencing both contributed coherent, well reasoned articles. In each case, the first two comments were enough to indicate that reading other forums remains the way to go.

<< In each case, the first two comments were enough to indicate that reading other forums remains the way to go. >>

Well Glen, I hope the third comment on this thread made you feel a little bit better about the whole deal!! ( :>)

Could you direct me to another forum or two that you think are better than OLO. I’m looking to broaden my horizons.

Thanks.