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Michael Badnarik on Crime

Libertarian Party nominee for President


Restitution of victims instead of punishment of criminals

Establishment politicians can't stop crime because they haven't asked the tough questions: "What crime prevention measures actually work?" Only one industrialized nation has succeeded in consistently lowering its crime rates since World War II. Japan emphasizes restitution to the victim, rather than punishment of the criminal. Once caught, offenders must formally apologize to their victims and enter into a compensation agreement in order to get leniency from the court. Further crime is discouraged when young perpetrators must compensate their victims. If offenders had to pay the cost of their apprehension and trial as well, this justice system might even become self-supporting. They learn the extent of the damage they do and the cost of rectifying it.

Such restitution is the most effective rehabilitation known.

Source: League of Women Voters D-Net issue grid statement Aug 15, 2004

Require offenders to compensate their victims

Crime rates go down when offenders must compensate their victims and responsible citizens are permitted to carry concealed weapons. Privatizing police gives them incentive to emphasize prevention and focus on violent, rather than victimless, crimes.

Only one industrialized nation has succeeded in consistently lowering its crime rates since World War II. Japan emphasizes restitution to the victim, rather than punishment of the criminal. Once caught, offenders must formally apologize to their victims and enter into a compensation agreement in order to get leniency from the court. They learn the extent of the damage they do and the cost of rectifying it.

Such restitution is the most effective rehabilitation known. Further crime is discouraged when young perpetrators must compensate their victims. If offenders had to pay the cost of their apprehension and trial as well, this justice system might even become self-supporting.

Source: Campaign website, badnarik.org, "Issues" Jul 13, 2004

End mandatory minimums for drug offendors

Drug Prohibition has caused gang warfare and other violent crime by raising the prices of drugs so much that vicious criminals enter the market to make astronomical profits, and addicts rob and steal to get money to pay the inflated prices for their drugs. On average, drug prisoners spend more time in federal prison than rapists, who often get out on early release because of the over-crowding in prison caused by the Drug War. While violent criminals can usually have their sentences reduced, drug offenders are subject to "mandatory minimums," which strip away judicial discretion and force judges to put users and dealers in prison for decades. This has to stop.
Source: Campaign website, www.badnarik.org, "The Issues" Jun 15, 2004

Other candidates on Crime: Michael Badnarik on other issues:
George W. Bush
Dick Cheney
John Edwards
John Kerry

Third Party Candidates:
Michael Baradnik
Peter Camejo
David Cobb
Ralph Nader
Michael Peroutka

Democratic Primaries:
Carol Moseley Braun
Wesley Clark
Howard Dean
Dick Gephardt
Bob Graham
Dennis Kucinich
Joe Lieberman
Al Sharpton
Abortion
Budget/Economy
Civil Rights
Corporations
Crime
Drugs
Education
Energy/Oil
Environment
Families/Children
Foreign Policy
Free Trade
Govt. Reform
Gun Control
Health Care
Homeland Security
Immigration
Infrastructure/Technology
Jobs
Principles/Values
Social Security
Tax Reform
War/Iraq/Mideast
Welfare/Poverty
Adv: Avi Green for State Rep Middlesex 26, Somerville & Cambridge Massachusetts