Escape from New York

[Spexxvet]

It seems like every day, we hear and see and complain about people who break the law. Sometimes, it's our neighbors, who think the stop sign isn't for them, or cut you off on the road, sometimes it's a child who gets stolen off the street.

IMHO, people break the law because they don't think they'll get caught. They have an attitude that they're more important than everyone else, and if they do break the law, there won't be a cop around to nab them anyway. Once they're caught, our judicial system and penal system are so fucked up that we can't be sure these people will be convicted or punished, even when they're guilty.

So what's to be done about it?

More cops? Who pays? More prisons? Who pays? Better prosecutors?

How about an "Escape From New York" or Devil's Island scenario for the really bad offenders? How about Heinlein's "Fair Witness" idea - people in robes walking around making immediate rulings on disagreements?

Any other ideas?