4 ms·

I'll go as far to agree that it is California extortion, whatever that is. How is it not extortion that a government prosecutor can exercise discretion and pow

I'll go as far to agree that it is California extortion, whatever that is. How is it not extortion that a government prosecutor can exercise discretion and power over people based on their political leanings? The up side in this case is that the shoplifters (who are now somehow the victims in your narrative) are allowed an alternative course of action that does not involve a criminal record or jail time. Any system, to be viable, needs a viable economic model. In this case, funding the system as they do also has a deterrent and educational use. There's nothing inherently morally superior about a non-profit. In fact, many non-profits are downright despicable. That government prosecutor is also part of an economic system. That system uses coercion. If you don't pay your taxes - guess what? That same prosecutor may be involved in incarcerating you.

lurr 9y ago
That's absolutely extortion too and the way that prosecutors rob people of their day in court by saying plea bargain or excessive punishment is similarly disgusting. You might have guessed I have a pretty low view of the US criminal justice system.
shkkmo 9y ago
> How is it not extortion that a government prosecutor can exercise discretion and power over people based on their political leanings? If a prosecutor demands money in exchange for not prosecuting you, that is extortion. Prosecutors having discretion does not make it extortion unless something is demanded in return for not prosecuting. (One might make a case that the current practice of soliciting plea deals are a form of extortion, but that is a whole other discussion.) > In this case, funding the system as they do also has a deterrent and educational use. Funding the system as they do creates incentives for abuse. While non-profits can be abused like for profits, there are more legal protections to limit their behavior and ability to generate profit from shady behavior. > That government prosecutor is also part of an economic system. That system uses coercion. If you don't pay your taxes - guess what? That same prosecutor may be involved in incarcerating you. I don't get your point. Yes, only the government is allowed to extort you and coerce your actions with force and there are strong legal limits to the ways in which we allow government to do that.

lurr 9y ago

That's absolutely extortion too and the way that prosecutors rob people of their day in court by saying plea bargain or excessive punishment is similarly disgusting. You might have guessed I have a pretty low view of the US criminal justice system.

shkkmo 9y ago

> How is it not extortion that a government prosecutor can exercise discretion and power over people based on their political leanings? If a prosecutor demands money in exchange for not prosecuting you, that is extortion. Prosecutors having discretion does not make it extortion unless something is demanded in return for not prosecuting. (One might make a case that the current practice of soliciting plea deals are a form of extortion, but that is a whole other discussion.) > In this case, funding the system as they do also has a deterrent and educational use. Funding the system as they do creates incentives for abuse. While non-profits can be abused like for profits, there are more legal protections to limit their behavior and ability to generate profit from shady behavior. > That government prosecutor is also part of an economic system. That system uses coercion. If you don't pay your taxes - guess what? That same prosecutor may be involved in incarcerating you. I don't get your point. Yes, only the government is allowed to extort you and coerce your actions with force and there are strong legal limits to the ways in which we allow government to do that.