I think most would agree there is a profound difference between a 23 year old dating a 17 year old
...or even a 17.997-year-old.
The problem is that the world is mostly continuous, not discrete, but laws try to be the latter.
...or even a 17.997-year-old.
The problem is that the world is mostly continuous, not discrete, but laws try to be the latter.
The UK had a problem a few years ago when they accidentally deployed some 17 year olds to Iraq.
This means a judge can't use his/her discretion to forgive, imposing extra toughness on the accused, usually in absurd ways, such as 30 years in prison for stealing a doughnut because of 2 prior similar petty theft convictions. But a Wall Street type could abuse billions of dollars and go free. I think this kind of cookie cutter justice is perverse and just serves to wage social war and fill up prisons.