what is restorative justice?
447100
Its the idea that a criminal can take responsibility for his actions. It is usually set up in a counseling type atmosphere. In order for it to work the criminal must take responsibility and willingly enter the program. The victim must too willingly enter. Its centered around the idea that the victim(s) can show the offender what impact his actions actually had. It also involves some minor punishments and/or restitution.
1039600
There are two primary justifications (reasons) for having criminal laws and criminal punishments.\n\nThe first is purely pragmatic/practical. Certain actions cause problems for society, in that people are harmed (reducing productivity) or property is damaged. Preventing someone who has shown they will commit such crimes from being free to do so again is one reason why we have punishments. Also, rehabilitation is often stated as a goal, so that people who have committed crimes in the past do not do so again.\n\nThe second reason is that some actions are inherently bad, and people deserve to be punished for them. Where society is harmed (see above) these are easy to understand and justify.\n\nThe trickier subset of the second category comes with crimes that do not cause direct damage to anyone, or even increase risk of harm (like speeding), but rather offend some moral sense of right/wrong.\n\nThis is the gray area, where the majority makes something illegal purely because they don't like it. And almost always that dislike comes because of their moral (religious) framework. So, effectively, they are enacting laws punishing activity that their religion dissapproves of.\n\nNow, if the action is one that pretty much everyone disapproves of anyway, regardless of religion, then it can be considered a cultural justification, rather than a religious one. And those are valid.\n\nBut, the courts have struck down laws that are only based on religious justifications, because the US Constitution prohibits enforcement of religious dogma as a matter of law.\n\nSo, the fine line in the second category (no actual harm) is always whether the moral justification is really a generally accepted cultural expectation, or is it religiously motivated. That's how morality comes into the equation.
1052945
Repentance is simply a change of heart/mind that leads to a change in action.  Basically, you just make up your mind to quit doing whatever it is that you need to stop, and then don't do it any more.
251854
It depends on the court where you are sentenced to do community service.  Where I live you can do community service at any not for profit organization. Here you can use a place that you have volunteered before provided it is for current community service hours.  Community service is restorative justice.  Thus the person who broke the law hurt society and must pay society back. That is originally what community service was meant for in the legal system. I think it would only be illegal if someone was trying to get credit for community service for hour worked in prior to being sentenced, or with out approval.  Best rule of thumb with any legal issue is to check with the court system where it occurred.
639960
In a nutshell:\n\nPros: Helps to eliminate murderers/rapists/pedophiles. Reduces population of multiple time losers in prisons rather than rewarding them with a lifetime of free food and shelter paid for by the taxpayers. Reduces need for taxpayer-funded "rehabilitation programs" where the offender is "rehabilitated", then released to kill/rape again. Improves the gene pool. Serves as a deterrent to future criminals (and yes, it does work in other countries despite what a previous poster said, and there are statistics to back it up).\n\nCons: None except the huge supply of scum who deserve it. Occasionally an "innocent" person is put to death; but historically in the US the number of cases like that is very small, less than 1/10 of 1 percent...and with improved DNA technology this number is fast approaching zero. I put the word "innocent" in quotes because as a rule, if you are in the system, you aren't totally innocent... even if you aren't necessarily guilty of murder. Let's say the guy didn't KILL the kid, he just participated in the torture and rape part. If he's 'mistakenly' put to death don't you think he got what he deserved anyway? \n\nEven though there will always be some idiot out there willing to see if he can "get away with it", capital punishment is the single most effective crime deterrent available, despite what bleeding-heart liberals might think.\nIt is a proven fact that for every rehabilitation success story, which the liberal media glorifies at every turn, there are 1000 failures where the offender repeats the crime. Offering someone life in prison in today's justice system means offering them a life of free food, shelter, medical care, education, and the ever-present chance to escape and do it again. The death penalty insures without a doubt that they'll never do it again. Enough said.
975178
Victim Assistance Program \n\nIf you have been the victim or witness of a crime being investigated by the FBI, there are two Victim Specialists in the Pittsburgh Division with specialized training and experience who are dedicated to providing victim assistance. The "Justice for All" Act, which was signed into law by the President on October 30, 2004, provides crime victims with (1) The right to be reasonably protected from the accused; (2) The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public court proceeding, or any parole proceeding, involving the crime or of any release or escape of the accused; (3) The right not to be excluded from any such public court proceeding, unless the court, after receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding; (4) The right to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding; (5) The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the Government in the case; (6) The right to full and timely restitution as provided in law; (7) The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay; and (8) The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim's dignity and privacy.\n\nVictim Specialists provide information to victim's on their rights, services, and important case events.  They are familiar with available local resources and can help victims access counseling and state crime victims compensation. Other services include, but are not limited to, accompaniment and transportation to forensic exams, medical services, and court.
235343
Refreshment of one's mind or body after work through activity that amuses or stimulates; play\n\nRecreation is the employment of time in a non-profitable way, in many ways also a therapeutic refreshment of one's body or mind. While leisure is more likely a form of entertainment or rest, recreation is active and participatory, but in a refreshing and diverting manner.
834311
Justice is justice, the timing is not the issue.
188703
If someone is accused of a crime no they do not receive any type of restitution since they are only being accused. \nIf someone is incarcerated for any real length of time they  sometimes receive a little something  for their lost time. Its more like a payoff so the person wont try and sue the city for false imprisonment or being wrongly accused.
483348
LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL WHO CAN AFFORD IT \n\n GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT \n unfortunately that is how the law really works
542545
True repentence is the act of not repeating the same mistake twice.  If you keep doing it, you're not truley sorry. You're like an alcoholic that keeps promising this is the LAST TIME they'll drink and then they drink again.  I don't buy into the whole theory of Christians that you can repent for something in the last hours of your life (like a murderer in prison) and make it to the same enlightened place after death as those who led their lives well the entire time.  That just sounds like a cop out to me.
1057486
A justice system that works accountable to the people, instead of the current system that seems totally out of touch with what we percieve as appropriate punishment for crimes.
203229
You can go to Google and type Define: then the word you want explained. This one means:\nAn offense which disturbs the peace and tranquility of the community in general
439054
The first step should always focus on rehab. Just desert does not work, it only breeds further bitterness...especially in our youthful offenders. In order for our society to improve, we have to try to fix out issues not lock them away. As humans, we all have the ability to change with the exception of sociopaths. Rehad gives us all a chance to improve upon our spirits and show compassion for our fellow man. Don't get me wrong. I am not for slapping someone on the wrist and letting them off. Punishment is important as well. But, without the rehab part, we are releasing the punished offender back on the streets without any new direction to go in. Punishment for the sake of punishment does no one any good.
554258
Social justice is a philosophical definition of justice
226228
1. do not commit a crime to be punished for.\n2. repent and quit comitting the same or other crimes to be punished for.\n3. get a great attorney or advocate.\n4. enter a plea for mercy\n5. perform compensating acts of retribution\n6. get someone else to take the rap for you,
1056538
I believe in the law of retribution.  I've lived to see that what goes around comes around and what you sow, sooner or later you'll reap.  Sure, a lot of people have unfair things happen to them and it's not their fault.  But there's a kind of justice and equity in the universe too.  Many times people get exactly what they deserve, but we don't always have the satisfaction of knowing it.  For instance someone who's done you wrong will eventually have it done to them by someone else, but you won't know so you keep on thinking that they got away scott free.