@carelt1985 Said
I read about these Canadian crime stories.
1. Two sisters from Toronto, Ontario drown their mother, in the bathtub, to received money after her death. They were imprisoned for 4 years.
2. A 12-year-old girl from Medicine Hat, Alberta plots a triple murder of her parents and 8-year-old little brother to be with her 23-year-old boyfriend. Now, the boyfriend is jailed for life, while the girl gets 10 years. She will be released, in 2016.
In my opinion, in the States, the young women would have been serving a lengthy prison sentence, if not life. I have no disrespect towards Canada...but...isn't the Canadian law too soft on
young killers?
On the surface of it, there may be an argument for stronger sentences, but I'm afraid the brief information given in your OP doesn't give enough detail to offer an informed opinion on those actual sentences.
The judges in the cases concerned will have had all the evidence presented to them. All the mitigating factors. All the reports and evaluations as to circumstances of the crimes and the educationl, sociological, environmental and other factors that would have been relevant.
It's not possible to say that this country or that country is "soft" on crime. Rather, the justice system in Canada may actually be doing what a justice system is meant to do.... administer justice.
We all have our opinions of what justice should be, but in my opinion, a civilised justice system tempers punishment with mercy.
Simply locking people up and throwing away the key for everybody isn't justice, it's neglect.
By all means punish severely where it's merited, but each case must be taken on its' merits and sentences tailored accordingly.
As I said, I don't know the circumstances of this case but I am quite confident that a humane and well adjusted nation like Canada will have a civilised justice system.
One question: If the prosecution thought the sentences in these cases were too lenient, would they be able to appeal for a stiffer sentence..? If so, why didn't they..?
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