5 ms·

Interesting thought experiment: What if records were sealed by default once judgement has been satisfied? Or, rather, do as much as possible within the legal sy

Interesting thought experiment: What if records were sealed by default once judgement has been satisfied? Or, rather, do as much as possible within the legal system to restore the individual's previous reputation and status. Some version of this exists for juvenile records already, because we recognize that people can grow and learn. I could also see arguments for allowing the above for misdemeanors but not felonies.

anigbrowl 9y ago
A good approach; the 'ban the box' campaign that aims to prevent questions about past felonies on employment applications is a step in this direction.
Clubber 9y ago
>I could also see arguments for allowing the above for misdemeanors but not felonies. You'd be surprised at how many petty offenses are considered felonies. Shortly after high school, a friend of mine took a stop sign and put it in his apartment. A few years later, the police came for some reason (he might have gotten robbed) and they saw the stop sign. He was arrested on a felony charge because the stop sign cost more than $500. (the second jaw drop is the stop sign company duped taxpayers at the tune of $500 a sign).
- KGIII 9y ago
  Signs are very expensive. They require special paint that has to reflect a specific amount of light. They must be of fairly exact specs, requiring proprietary fonts, and are often low volume and customized. There is also the installation, which must conform to various specifications and is limited in placement, meaning a certain level of expertise is required. In short, don't get caught stealing signs. They are expensive and it pisses people off. Seriously, that paint is very expensive, as is the coating over it.
  - mulmen 9y ago
    What if I like the aesthetic and decide to decorate a room with street signs I legally purchased at a premium?
    - KGIII 9y ago
      That's distinctly not stealing.
      - mulmen 9y ago
        That's exactly my point. Possession of the sign does not prove that it is stolen. They may be expensive but that is also not proof of wrongdoing. The police shouldn't be arresting people for possession of road signs unless there is evidence they are stolen. The price or scarcity of the sign has nothing to do with that evidence.
        KGIII 9y ago
        I haven't offered an opinion on that, only that one shouldn't be caught stealing. Official street signs will usually have a label on the rear indicating this, they may also have information on the label about where and when it was placed. It's usually a thick sticker on the back of the sign. Some areas stencil them.

anigbrowl 9y ago

A good approach; the 'ban the box' campaign that aims to prevent questions about past felonies on employment applications is a step in this direction.

Clubber 9y ago

>I could also see arguments for allowing the above for misdemeanors but not felonies. You'd be surprised at how many petty offenses are considered felonies. Shortly after high school, a friend of mine took a stop sign and put it in his apartment. A few years later, the police came for some reason (he might have gotten robbed) and they saw the stop sign. He was arrested on a felony charge because the stop sign cost more than $500. (the second jaw drop is the stop sign company duped taxpayers at the tune of $500 a sign).

KGIII 9y ago
Signs are very expensive. They require special paint that has to reflect a specific amount of light. They must be of fairly exact specs, requiring proprietary fonts, and are often low volume and customized. There is also the installation, which must conform to various specifications and is limited in placement, meaning a certain level of expertise is required. In short, don't get caught stealing signs. They are expensive and it pisses people off. Seriously, that paint is very expensive, as is the coating over it.
- mulmen 9y ago
  What if I like the aesthetic and decide to decorate a room with street signs I legally purchased at a premium?
  - KGIII 9y ago
    That's distinctly not stealing.
    - mulmen 9y ago
      That's exactly my point. Possession of the sign does not prove that it is stolen. They may be expensive but that is also not proof of wrongdoing. The police shouldn't be arresting people for possession of road signs unless there is evidence they are stolen. The price or scarcity of the sign has nothing to do with that evidence.
      - KGIII 9y ago
        I haven't offered an opinion on that, only that one shouldn't be caught stealing. Official street signs will usually have a label on the rear indicating this, they may also have information on the label about where and when it was placed. It's usually a thick sticker on the back of the sign. Some areas stencil them.