Here in the US we sometimes release our prisoners for time served.
Example:
If you are convicted and sentenced 25 years. At some point depending on your crime you can apply for what is called parole.
We also have what is called States Courts and each State has their own set of rules for charges and sentences and paroles.
We also have Federal courts and that is broken down also.
So it's more complex than other countries. That maybe what is puzzling to some.
The basic structure of your legal system is based on English Common Law. However, various 'tweaks' were made over time and en voyage to the Americas!
The big thing that was removed are the laws pertaining to sub judice. This means that your 'right' to know everything and then your 'right' to express your opinion means that, with a high number of cases, the 'right' verdict has already been decided by the 'public'. The fact that it can very obviously have dire effects on there being a 'fair trial' are so diminished as to be all but meaningless. Once a person has been charged then anyone speculating publically, where the laws of sub judice still apply, can be charged with contempt of court. This means that no TV pundits, aiming for ever higher viewing figures, can generate a feeding frenzy of hysteria.
There is the added advantage in that it protects the basic tenet of the legal system - the presumption of innocence. You have all but lost that. Which, sadly, makes everything which follows rather farcical.
Then there is the fact that each state has 'tweaked' the system in slightly different ways so there is no consistent 'American Legal System'.
Then there is the fact that a high number of Judges and prosectors are elected officials, thus making 'pleasing the electorate' top their agendas whilst also 'politicising' the process.
To make things even worse your prison system seems to have no statutory duty of care and there seems to be no real effort to rehabilitate prisoners so that they can have a fresh start on release and become valued citizens.
Furthermore, whilst I do not think those who are doing time for breaking the law should have a vote to decide who makes the laws, I do think that once they have done their time the right to vote should be autmatically restored - especially in a country that wishes to appear to be a 'great' example of democracy.
Then, of course, there is the fact that very often sentences are ridiculously long which means that on release, for those who make it, there is little point in trying to lead a life free of crime. They could not before and, whilst incarcerated, they have been mixing with 'master' villains and so learnt far more 'tricks of the trade'.
We cannot, either, overlook the death penalty. Some states have it and some do not. The very idea of trying to logically convince people that murder is wrong by saying 'so we are going to murder you' appears somewhat crazy to outsiders as well as those in the US who are anti the DP. Also it is not a shining example of 'Christianity in action'. It is far closer to some of the ideas expressed in the OT, out of which Shariah law evolved too!
In conclusion it is the inconsistencies that confuse rather than the basic principles of the legal system.
And, of course, money raises its ugly head. One just has to compare and contrast this case with that of the three members of the Duke Lacross team. Too many people have their own career paths and bank accounts at the top of their priorities, it seems, rather than a fair and just application of the law.
I am
not saying that there is no foul pay or corruption in other countries, there is. However the leading first world countries do their utmost to keep their legal systems free of it!
Also the idea of a 'parole' system exists elsewhere too. However on a long sentence for a serious crime, the chance for parole comes later rather than sooner!
Also the idea of bail (what is called bond in the US) exists elsewhere but it is the private individual who either puts the money up or promises it and then gets it back when the accused attends the court hearing. There are no bial bondsmen who make an industry out of it all!
Sorry for the long post, but the one that triggered this demanded it!