Bill 0605051: Criminal Convictions Act

[csmith]

Section 1: Should a Lavalonian resident be convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic offense in a macronational court, his or her Lavalonian residency will be terminated.

Section 2: No person may become a Lavalonian resident who has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic offense in a macronational court.

I move to debate.

[Xonn]

Since this was not posted in the General Assembly, where it should have been since you chose to motion for debate (although neem can or you could post this for the cabinet to ratify), I will offer my opinion onthis legislation, if no one minds.

I think the overall idea behind this legislation is good. It would make law-abidingness a greater part of Lavalon and therefore bolster the idea that Lavalon is a nation of for the most part good people--even though we might get a little too much punch and bagels sometimes.

Since there's no way realistically Lavalon can ever prosecute or keep track of someone's criminal activity, we're basically acknowledging with this legislation that our "big brother" the United States Government can and should. However, what if a citizen were Iranian and were thrown in jail on false charges possibly even for, god forbid, using lavalon. evidently this legislation needs to allow the President, a Designated Subordinate of the President, or the General Assembly to review on a case-by-case basis to determine whether or not a macronational law may influence lavalonian laws such as this one.

another problem I see is sort of the same as americans who in some states, after having done their time and turned for good, find themselves unable to vote. while this is tied to incarcereation and not to race, it still has the effect of limiting this group of people's political success.

everybody knows people can change their ways. that is exactly why i do not like the discriminatory Section 2.

this legislation is a little vague in section 1. i thinkit should say that a "If a citizen commits a macronational crime that is greater than a minor traffic offense, he or she may be tried and convicted in a Lavalonian court with the aid of the evidence and verdict of the macronational trial of that individual was in, and the punishment shall be at most loss of citizenship. The use of macronational information in the micronational trial and the degree of punishment shall be at the discretion of the Lavalonian judge in charge."

[Brian Capelle]

I think that makes a lot of sense, actually

[admin]

i guess either the chancellor or president can move this when they want to...

but what defines a minor traffic offense? fender bender? major collision with no death or injury? is it just for speeding, illegal parking... what if ur parked in a fire lane and the building burns down and every dies because of you?

[Xonn]

At first I thought that "minor traffic offense" was too vague, but then I remembered how many of my job applications used that exact phrase.

[Brian Capelle]

You have to include public indecency in that, too

[Ciaron]

If people have served their time, why should they be persecuted further? Criminals are still people with equal rights. There are also legitmate reasons in my opinion why a person could be convicted of a crime, what if its in an act of civil disobedience?

[neem]

Why is this in my office?

[Xonn]

I echo Ciaron's thoughts. Section 2 is discriminatory.

neem--I think Carson posted this legislation here on accident.

[csmith]

Yes, this legislation is posted here by accident. Why don't we just continue with this debate on our new Natopian forums.

[Xonn]

Why don't we just continue with this debate on our new Natopian forums.

I agree with that...totally.

(Several months ago I'd have called that insane...how time changes things)

[csmith]

I know, LOL!