3 ms·
Should the sentence reflect the actual damage done (none in this case), or the intention to do damage (which, from the article, appears substantial)
by londons_explore 3y ago
Should the sentence reflect the actual damage done (none in this case), or the intention to do damage (which, from the article, appears substantial)
- kemayo 3y agoWe often have separate crimes for unsuccessful attempts to commit a crime ("inchoate offenses"), despite no direct harm having been done, which tend to result in less-severe punishments than for successful attempts. E.g. attempted murder is still sentenced pretty harshly, but only around half the length that an actual murder would get. So I guess that the question is how much time successfully selling the secret would have gotten her.
- tgv 3y agoIt's quite normal that the actual damage weighs in the sentence. Consider the following: someone speeds across an intersection, without paying attention to the traffic lights and right of way. Or the same, but a car is hit, and the driver of the other car is hurt. Or the driver and two little children die. Would it be reasonable to punish in the first case like in the latter, or vice versa?
- taeric 3y agoRealistically, it reflects the funding of the prosecution.