take what you want

[btfp]

Many years ago I remember reading about a judge out west that had an interesting punishment for thieves.

The victim came to your house and under the supervision of the Sheriff and judge was allowed to take 3 possessions from you. Of course pets- livestock and prescription meds were out.

A lot of the burglars would do one of three things.

1 Clean out their own house except for some broken stuff and allow the victim to take 3 things . The problem was the victims had a problem finding anything they wanted.

2 They would bitch and moan and cry- That's my kids toys you f ing scumbag take my kids toys you are a scumbag . Or beg, that watch belonged to my father, it's been in our family 100 years PLEASE don't take it.. The victim would move on to something else and the same thing, That's not mine, I'm watching it for a friend etc etc.

3 The thief would get so ticked that he would throw the victim out of his house and demand to go to jail rather than have someone take his possessions.

I don't remember where I read this. I think it's a novel idea. I don't know if that states courts disallowed it or if it still is on going. I think it was in Utah or AZ, but I am positive it was a western state.

Anyone remember anything more about this?

[az4code23]

Um, I don't remember that.

[mikeymedic]

Don't remember it but I think it is a good idea. Plus the thief should still get his full sentencing.

[just joe]

Never heard of it and it is illegal.

[StudChris]

Restitution is to be paid in money, not in being allowed to commit the same crime against the suspect. I don't remember it, doubt it happened, and if it did happen it's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

[Chopshopcop]

It happened in Memphis once, Judge Joe Brown was a Criminal Court judge several years ago before he went on to "star" on TV. He allowed a burglary victim to go to the defendants home and take some items as "restitution". As I recall, the defendant agreed to this as a condition of a plea bargain or something along those lines, so the decision stood.

That was the first I'd ever heard of it, it may have been done by other judges too

[marcusindc]

http://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/26/news/judge-devises-instructional-penalties.html

[just joe]

It happened in Memphis once, Judge Joe Brown was a Criminal Court judge several years ago before he went on to "star" on TV. He allowed a burglary victim to go to the defendants home and take some items as "restitution". As I recall, the defendant agreed to this as a condition of a plea bargain or something along those lines, so the decision stood.

That was the first I'd ever heard of it, it may have been done by other judges too

That makes more sense.

[valvestem]

I'd take their cigs, beer and TV, the three most important things to scrote bags.