If we believe in our current penal process, then the penalties imposed by judges and juries should be the only sanctions for one's crime, not the invisible sanctions of the legislature.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Even without mandatory sentences, judges are still capable of levying tough penalties for serious offenses - and just as in states like Texas that have 'tough on crime' reputations, this can be done without jeopardizing public safety.
Punishment is justice for the unjust.
Punishment can do a lot for criminals, and send a message to the rest of society.
The law condemns and punishes only actions within certain definite and narrow limits; it thereby justifies, in a way, all similar actions that lie outside those limits.
The principle inherent in the clause that prohibits pointless infliction of excessive punishment when less severe punishment can adequately achieve the same purposes invalidates the punishment.
In vain, without the Bible, we increase penal laws and draw entrenchments around our institutions.
I agree with President Obama and Attorney General Holder that we need to reform our criminal sentencing laws.
We are a nation of laws, and breaking those laws have consequences.
If, at the limit, you can rule without crime, you cannot do so without injustices.
The penalty may be removed, the crime is eternal.