Should people be arrested and jailed because you think they are going to commit a crime?

[NJmaverick]

:shrug:

[charlie and algernon]

1. Did you just watch Minority Report?

Innocent till proven guilty, if they haven't done anything yet, there's nothing to arrest them for, let alone charge them.

[LynneSin]

9. I was thinking the same thing when I read the post

I think I saw it on TNT or one of those channels this weekend.

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. Of course. However, DS1 is the only other who should have that power.

But yes, thank you for singling me out - I should indeed have that power to have people jailed and arrested.

[NJmaverick]

7. I was thinking of taking that up myself as new career

[Tuesday Afternoon]

3. operative words "you think" ... I question the authority's ability to think.

I really do.

[NJmaverick]

8. I guess that's always the catch

[TreasonousBastard]

4. "Preventive detention" has always been a big no-no, but...

there are powerful arguments for detaining some people.

Unfortunately, while you usually can't arrest and charge a gang member for terrifying a community, or a drunken bully for threatening to kill his wife, you can arrest and detain indefinitely someone you think might possibly have "terrorist" ties.

Go figure.

[Deep13]

5. Theoretically, no.

In practice, conspiracy to commit a crime is a crime in and of itself. If a person has conspired to commit an offense and takes a substantial step towards committing the offense, then yeah, that is worth prosecuting. Likewise, if an attempt is make that falls short of completion of the crime, it can also be prosecuted.

But simply thought crimes? No. Until someone acts, he or she is not a criminal.

[Rhythm]

6. Innocent inquiry becomes conspiracy to those with a guilty conscience

Or so it seems...

:hi:

[Ohio Joe]

10. If I think so... yes

Anyone else, no :D

[applegrove]

11. Some kids with dangerous personality disorders should be followed

their whole lives. And they should know they will be followed so they don't try anything.

[MichiganVote]

12. Sure....anybody on Wall Street is good with me