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Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Military

Should Judges by allowed to send folks into the Military


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Scorpion89

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So this has come up a few time at work.

Should Judge have the choice to give defender who are none-violent and facing prison time choice either the Military or Jail.

Back in the day it used to be a very comman thing for Judges to give first timer's the choice.
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

Having our military filled with criminals who don't really want to be there isn't a good idea. It would cause serious discipline and morale problems, plus you'd have to watch them like hawks to prevent them from walking off with expensive military hardware. Furthermore, having people with pure impulse control perform missions in proximity to civilians is flirting with death. Finally, it would make for lousy PR. The all volunteer military doesn't need this kind of problem.
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

Having our military filled with criminals who don't really want to be there isn't a good idea. It would cause serious discipline and morale problems, plus you'd have to watch them like hawks to prevent them from walking off with expensive military hardware. Furthermore, having people with pure impulse control perform missions in proximity to civilians is flirting with death. Finally, it would make for lousy PR. The all volunteer military doesn't need this kind of problem.
The military will convert them into soldiers.
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

So this has come up a few time at work.

Should Judge have the choice to give defender who are none-violent and facing prison time choice either the Military or Jail.

Back in the day it used to be a very comman thing for Judges to give first timer's the choice.
Sure, give many different options.
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

Military should stay a choice in the US, so no.
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

This, of course, depends on the crime and the individual.
And these are the "key" words.
We must stop treating these unfortunates all the same...Many can be saved...I think.
Our military has done it before with petty crime commiters..Are there any meaningful case studies ???
Anyone man enough to come forward.??..
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

Back in the day it used to be a very comman thing for Judges to give first timer's the choice.

That was back during the WWII and Vietnam era, when we really needed all the soldiers we could get.

Nowadays we've got all we need in an all-volunteer army. Should that change, then I might support sentencing criminals to the military.
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

Absolutely not. The job of the military is to be able to fight and win wars, not reform criminals.
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

I am uncomfortable with the idea of Military service being meted out as a sentence for crimes committed.

The choice to serve should be free from all coercion.
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

My father was given this choice and he chose the military. He broke a lot of rules and was booted out. I cannot say for sure that this would happen for a lot of people, but it seems like it would be a waste of time to take the chance.

The military is best when they focus their time and resources on people who want to be there because they want to be there. I think a a judge could recommend the military to the person, but not until civilian punishment is complete.

Perhaps reduce a sentence for a person who has done some of the punishment, and has proven rehabilitation, if they agree to do military service?
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

Military should stay a choice in the US, so no.
I submit that it is still a choice, if a petty criminal wants to avoid jail they get the chance at reforming in the military or, choose to serve a traditional sentence.
Personally I think it is a good idea depending on the case and the crime committed, the military teaches discipline, and fosters a greater sense of others over self, something a borderline defendant could benefit from.
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

I am uncomfortable with the idea of Military service being meted out as a sentence for crimes committed.

The choice to serve should be free from all coercion.
I don't consider it coercion if the option exists to serve in the military or prison however, either way someone is going to serve time for the crime they have committed, the military option at least for someone who can be reformed would be a benefit provided they qualify for service, I'd rather pay taxes on servicemen than criminals anyday.
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

I submit that it is still a choice, if a petty criminal wants to avoid jail they get the chance at reforming in the military or, choose to serve a traditional sentence.
Personally I think it is a good idea depending on the case and the crime committed, the military teaches discipline, and fosters a greater sense of others over self, something a borderline defendant could benefit from.
Military or jail is not a choice.
If it was, the military in Israel wouldn't be called "Compulsory".
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

I submit that it is still a choice, if a petty criminal wants to avoid jail they get the chance at reforming in the military or, choose to serve a traditional sentence.
Personally I think it is a good idea depending on the case and the crime committed, the military teaches discipline, and fosters a greater sense of others over self, something a borderline defendant could benefit from.

Just based on my experiences I would tend to suspect that far too many of these type people would not make it through their time in the military. The military does teach discipline, but the groundwork has to already be there for it to work.
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

I believe Rev has some thoughts on this matter.
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

Just based on my experiences I would tend to suspect that far too many of these type people would not make it through their time in the military. The military does teach discipline, but the groundwork has to already be there for it to work.
The only real "groundwork" is desire. Desire is the foundation for discipline; it is the drive that compels a person onward.

Which is why I am leery of anyone being tempted or coerced into the military as a means of evading a prison term. Where is the desire to serve in such a person? Where is the drive to master the professions of arms?

The military can go a long way in instilling the habits of discipline in any person, but those habits will not take root and grow in a healthy direction if there is not a basic desire to serve.
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

The only real "groundwork" is desire. Desire is the foundation for discipline; it is the drive that compels a person onward.

Which is why I am leery of anyone being tempted or coerced into the military as a means of evading a prison term. Where is the desire to serve in such a person? Where is the drive to master the professions of arms?

The military can go a long way in instilling the habits of discipline in any person, but those habits will not take root and grow in a healthy direction if there is not a basic desire to serve.

Yeah, that was what I wanted to say, but you got it much better. If you don't want to be in the military, you are probably going to fail, you won't have the desire to succeed.
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

Why would you single out a particular musical instrument? If judges are go ind to send other musicians into the military, viol players should get the same treatment.
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

Why would you single out a particular musical instrument? If judges are go ind to send other musicians into the military, viol players should get the same treatment.
Hmmm......(contemplating the deterrent effect of sentencing criminals to marching band).....
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

So this has come up a few time at work.

Should Judge have the choice to give defender who are none-violent and facing prison time choice either the Military or Jail.

Back in the day it used to be a very comman thing for Judges to give first timer's the choice.

I'm curious how those criminals who chose military service turned out...did they make it through basic training....how well did they serve their country....what was the recidivism rate after they were satisfactorily discharged from service...?
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

I don't think it's a bad idea for first-time non-violent offenders that the judge determines might get something out of a regimented lifestyle, but I don't think the judge ought to be able to act in a vaccuum, I think they ought to offer it as an option to the convict and let them make the ultimate decision. A 4-year stint in the military where you can learn a trade or 4 years in prison where you'll become Bubba's best friend. Take your pick.
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

I'm curious how those criminals who chose military service turned out...did they make it through basic training....how well did they serve their country....what was the recidivism rate after they were satisfactorily discharged from service...?

It was unusual for a judge to offer military enlistment as an alternative to jail. There were situations where this was offerred during the Korean and Vietnam War, but not nearly as often as people are under the impression of. However, it was always up to the military if such judicial offerings mattered....

The Army - Recruiting Regulation, Army Regulation 601-210, paragraph 4-8b: "Applicant who, as a condition for any civil conviction or adverse disposition or any other reason through a civil or criminal court, is ordered or subjected to a sentence that implies or imposes enlistment into the Armed Forces of the United States is not eligible for enlistment.."

The Air Force - Recruiting Regulation, AETCI 36-2002, table 1-1, lines 7 and 8, makes an applicant ineligible for enlistment if they are "released from restraint, or civil suit, or charges on the condition of entering military service, if the restraint, civil suit, or criminal charges would be reinstated if the applicant does not enter military service."

The Marine Corps - Recruiting Regulation, MCO P1100.72B, Chapter 3, Section 2, Part H, Paragraph 12 states: "Applicants may not enlist as an alternative to criminal prosecution, indictment, incarceration, parole, probation, or other punitive sentence. They are ineligible for enlistment until the original assigned sentence would have been completed."

Join the Military or Go to Jail?
 
Re: Should the Judges have the choice to sentence Non Violant Offeders to the Militar

One of the ingredients necessary to maintain a strong force is to ensure that the members are volunteers. Each member knows what he is signing up for and understands the possibilities (even though some become "suprised" when ordered to fullfill that obligation).

By opening the military up as an alternative to jail time, the military would get flooded with criminals, insubordination problems, and half-hearted souls. In other words, societies messes would become our messes only they will now be armed and trained to kill. The military's role is to protect America and its interests. Not to correct societies garbage.
 
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