What is punishment for?

Why do ‘we’ impose sentences and fines upon people?  Do you have a good understanding of the sentencing laws in your jurisdiction and how they work?  Perhaps you should lest you be taken by surprise sometime!

Really, I suppose sentences and fines have a place in the world, or at least some people would tend to think so.  So if sentences and fines do their magic and work as deterrents to more crimes being committed, I propose this:  Anytime a crime is committed by any elected or appointed public official let’s make an example out of them.  Give them two times the maximum fine for the crime being committed!  How is that for deterrence? 

Let’s take it a step further though to ensure there is no favoritism!  Every time one of these officials is  brought up on charges, let us require a special ‘board’ akin to a Grand Jury to oversee their trial!  To make it even more fair and unbiased, let the ‘board’ be comprised of people who are from a different jurisdiction from which the accused comes!  And to make it even more fair, let’s say that no one on the board can be of the same political party!

To make it even more fair and special to be on this ‘board’ let’s say anyone on a board who is accused (accused not necessarily convicted) of a crime related to any case they convene for be privy to the same sentencing as the accused in the case.  The ‘board’ would oversee the proceedings and ensure the letter of the law was followed with no favoritism or special privileges!

While we are at it, why don’t we extend the sentencing laws to include any individuals associated with the accused.  Any sentencing laws applicable to the accused would be extended to these individuals as well!  For instance a private individual offers a bribe to an official, the private individual gets the same sentence.  Of course, there will be a need for a ‘special board’ for this person or persons as well.

While we are at is, let’s go one step further and make it so there are no double standards!  Elected and appointed officials are subject to the same laws as an ‘average’ citizen, there is no special consideration or circumstances! 

How is this for deterrence?