Tonight we are going to look at big subject: Crime and Punishment
Something that many people have strong views on:
Because to some crime has wrecked their lives
To others, it is almost glamorous Films like Lock Stock Gangsters
Obviously, we can only skim the surface
To get us thinking about this we're going to watch a clip from The Italian
Job (the new version)
[The Italian Job]
Play Scene 3 which is approximately 7 minutes long
If you don't have access to The Italian Job, have a look for a scene in
Oceans 11
The middle bit
Crime. Order the following, the "worst" at the top (includes some of the 10
commandments):
Murder
Manslaughter
Assault
Rape
Dangerous driving
Theft
Blasphemy
Lying
Stalking
Slagging someone off (liable)
Ignoring God
Adultery
Any others
Punishment
Get let off (Absolute discharge)
Get let off but with a few strings attached. (Conditional discharge)
Fine
Be forced to do courses and stuff (Probation)
Be forced to work for nothing (Community service order / attendance centre order)
Get banned from something (Ban from driving etc.)
Go to prison
Anything else
Alternative punishment options:
Death penalty
Flogging
Public humiliation
Which punishment fits which crime?
What is the purpose of punishment?
Reform / change
Get what they deserve
Revenge
Has anybody got any experience of this stuff - been a victim of crime?
Do you think people can change as a result of their punishment?
Or is a bad one always a bad one?
New TV show "Sin" is about this
Miscellaneous questions:
Why do people do crime?
Why is crime glamorous?
What is the worst punishment you have ever received?
What about the recent death threats to people like the boys who killed Jamie
Bulinger?
What about Mira Hindley?
The Bible bit
The Bible is no stranger to this idea of having laws and Justice in fact I
understand that many of our laws are based on things like the 10 commandments
And it has a lot to say about the consequences of our actions
But rather than going into all of that I would like us to do is read:
John 8:1-11 P1070 (The Woman Caught In Adultery)
I think that reminds of something's that many of us forget
We are quick to judge other people
We should look at ourselves
The amazing fact the our God is one who forgives, the worst of the worst we all get
a second, third, forth chance etc.
Or discus the two criminals at the Crucifixion
Conclusion
1 John 8 "If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not
in us. But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can
trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have
done. If we say we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and we do not accept
God's teaching."
[Pray]
Research
Bible references
The 10 commandments:
You must not have any other Gods except me
You must not make for yourselves an idol that looks like anything in the sky above or on
the earth below or in the water below the land.
You must not use the name of the Lord you God thoughtlessly
Remember to keep the Sabbath holy.
Honour your mother and your father
You must not murder anyone
You must not be guilty of adultery
You must not steel
Your must not tell lies about your neighbour
You must not want to take from your neighbour
Rom 12:17-21 Page 1158 : if somebody wrongs you, don't pay me back God says 'I will
punish those who do wrong ..'
Hebrews 10:30 P1287 "God said, 'I will punish those who do wrong; I will repay
them." And he also said "The Lord will judge his people"
Matthew 7:1 P918 "Do not judge ."
Matthew 5:43 P916 "You have heard that is was said, 'Love your neighbour and hate
your enemies'. But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. If you do
this, you will become true children of your Father in heaven If you love only the
people who love you, you will get no reward. Even the tax collectors do that."
Luke 23:32-43 P1053 Two criminals executed with Jesus
Other references
Smith & Kennan's English Law - Eleventh Edition
Tort - "a careless act causing harm to another person which may lead to a claim for
damages"
Manslaughter - "the unintentional killing of a person"
Punish - "to make a person suffer pain or loss as a penalty for wrongdoing.
Sentence - "a) the decisions of a court, stating the punishment a convicted person
is to receive."
Crimes
Homicide
Murder
Voluntary Manslaughter
Involuntary Manslaughter
Violent crimes which are not fatal
Assault and battery (battery is the actual application of force)
Assault causing actual bodily harm ("the victim has suffered some injury. Bruising
or abrasions are enough." Can include Psychiatric injures. Up to 5 years)
Malicious wounding ("Inflict any grievous bodily harm". I.e., assault. Up to 5
years)
Causing grievous bodily harm ("Cause grievous bodily harm". I.e. cause by any
means. Up to life)
Sexual offences
Rape
Male rape / buggery
Dangerous driving
Theft
Stalking
Sentencing
Absolute discharge (get let off)
Conditional discharge (get let off, but if you commit a crime in say, 1 year, then you
will be punished for the original crime and the next)
Fine
These are generally a proportion of your disposable income, for first offence, typically
10%
Community sentences
Probation (i.e., may have to attend treatment, and comes under the supervision of a
probation officer)
Community service order (Up to 240 hours)
Combination order (Probation and community service)
Attendance centre orders. An attendance centre order requires the offender to attend at
an attendance centre and take part in supervised activities .
Breach of community sentence
Binding over (you give a sum of money that will be forfeited if there is a breach)
Endorsement of driving licence
Disqualification from driving
Custodial sentence
25 years is life, or can mean life
Not sure, but think crimes like rape are up to 10 years
"Automatic life sentences for second convictions for serial sexual or violent
offences, e.g. rape and attempted rape, attempted murder, manslaughter and the most
serious wounding"
"There is no power to administer corporal punishment upon an offender."