- A good friend is convicted of a crime he didn't commit, and is sentenced to a few days in jail and community service.
- A stranger is convicted of a crime he didn't commit, and is sentenced to several years in jail.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Dilemma 1/6/09
You have the magical power to stop one and only one of the following two scenarios. Which would you prevent?
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4 comments:
I would prevent the second scenario, not only because it's longer (years vs. days), but because a sentence of a few days would be served in a local jail while a sentence of several years means federal prison. Also, I would be able to help the friend get through it, appeal, etc. -- support I wouldn't necessarily be able to offer someone I didn't know (maybe the stranger lives on the other side of the country, or the world).
I would absolutely prevent the second one. If the first is a sentence of a few days and community service in all likelihood it must be something minor. More than likely it could be expunged from the person's record. Some cash and a good lawyer can get rid of most minor records. So the long lasting affect on my friend's life would be minimal.
The second is a far more serious case. Years in prison could destroy someone. Emotionally they would be a mess. Their reputation is now gone. The ability to get a decent paying job is now nil. The second scenario is much worse regardless if they were a stranger to me or not.
I'd prevent the second one. Most of my friends could use a day or two in jail ;) If it were me in the same situation, I'd jail myself just so I could learn about the jail experience for writing purposes.
I'll save the stranger from the years. The friend can handle a few days in local jail.
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