No Richard, with respect, I am talking about law enforcement personnel imposing a penalty upon people who have NOT been found guilty of any crime, as an alternative to being prosecuted. If they were to opt for prosecution instead, I see nothing wrong in the judge imposing the same punishment by making them clean the streets after closing time on another night.

I still approve of such creativity in handling minor offences, which relieves the burden on the courts, and saves a mint of money.

Summary justice, without prior trial, such as this, and of course police cautions and section 5 fixed penalties, does have a part to play in reducing unacceptable behaviour and will not IMHO detract from the rule of law.


Don T.