Sandusky found guilty on 45 of 48 charges - Page 2

javi · 06-23-2012, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drunken Savior

A life sentence is only 20 or 25 years. In most states (if not all) a life sentence doesn't mean "until you die," it's a fixed time period. Good Behavior might make that even less. The idea is that it's sentencing you during the prime of your life. So if you get out, you'll probably be over 30 with nothing to show for it and a criminal record.

If they do sentence him to 400 years, it essentially means "You'll die in prison. No amount of good behavior will get you out before you die."

Then why don't they just say "You'll stay in prison for the rest of your life" instead of 400 years?! Who on earth is going to live that long anyway? Do they expect you to live 400 years? Is there a reward for you to live that long? Are they trying to set off a world record? Do you see why I think that sounds so stupid to me?

eastx · 06-23-2012, 06:59 PM

Who cares?

Drunken Savior · 06-23-2012, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by javi

Then why don't they just say "You'll stay in prison for the rest of your life" instead of 400 years?! Who on earth is going to live that long anyway? Do they expect you to live 400 years? Is there a reward for you to live that long? Are they trying to set off a world record? Do you see why I think that sounds so stupid to me?

Each charge you are convicted of carries a particular time period for imprisonment. They are just adding them up. So that's why you get large numbers. It's not because some judge is just picking an arbitrary number. That's the way all sentences are delivered. Many other trials end with a couple of years that could be reduced. The process isn't going to change for any one case.

I understand why you think it's stupid...but it doesn't mean that the process, itself, is stupid. You're just arguing semantics. There is no difference in the sentencing between a judge saying "You'll die in prison" or "You're sentenced to 400 years in prison."

justin_credible · 06-23-2012, 07:52 PM

I think it's for the individiual victims to feel like justice was served in their individual cases, and not just one. Each charge carried it's own individual sentence and it added up to the 400 years.

Sometimes you can get life and still get out of jail because life is 20-25 years as already stated in this thread, those are the rules. So in this case the 400 years assures he will never get out.

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06-23-2012, 06:59 PM	#17
eastx The Fighting Bomber Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Lake Jackson, TX USA Posts: 4,570	Who cares?

06-23-2012, 07:52 PM	#19
justin_credible Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 6,271	I think it's for the individiual victims to feel like justice was served in their individual cases, and not just one. Each charge carried it's own individual sentence and it added up to the 400 years. Sometimes you can get life and still get out of jail because life is 20-25 years as already stated in this thread, those are the rules. So in this case the 400 years assures he will never get out.