Wednesday, November 7, 2012 11:26:19 AM
So, a Walmart shoplifter can choose, I assume, between a hefty fine, a stay in the slammer or loss of respect and dignity.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 5:22:49 AM
@paperduck: This isn't cruel and unusual? Yes it is, but it is perfectly legal. In these situations, the judge gives a normal sentence within the bounds of law and offers an alternative punishment such as this. In this way, since the person chooses the punishment, cruel and unusual goes out the window (as long as a normal sentence is an option).
Of course, many judges will offer the harshest normal punishment available to persuade the criminal to take the alternative punishment.