40-50 year old crimes...

[wildmaven]

Do you think someone who is accused of committing a crime 40-50 years ago can get a fair trial today? Are we now subjecting people of that era to today's morals? If we convict someone using today's DNA methods, does that mean we should reopen every case that's ever happened? Do you think reopening a case, such as a civil rights case from the 50's, can re-damage a town's reputation? Thoughts?

Marian

[ryndell]

Other then murder .. there is a statue of limitation of 7 years on most crimes.If they are not tried with in that time.They can not be , so the theory goes.

[wildmaven]

Ryndell, I guess I keep forgetting that a lot of people don't read the paper, watch TV, log onto news sites, or listen to the radio. I'm referring to the recent Ku-Klux-Klansman who committed a crime in the 60's, is now 80 years old, and faces 60 years for his crimes.
www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/06/23/mississippi.killings/index.html
This is what brought on my questions. Besides stating what you have already said, do you have any replies to the questions I asked?

Marian

[ryndell]

um so from what i just read ...this individual was tried.He was freed from the charges ..even by a hung jury.He was still let go .Therefore this second trial unless they had new evidence.I would imagine would go under the double Jeopardy.I mean i totally against what he did ,but they should have convicted the first time.

[Silivrentolwen]

hmm..Don't really have a yes or no to that...Exept KKK peeps should rot in a cell filled with man-eating rats. -cheerful eh?

[ĐR]

Double jeopardy only applies if someone has been tried and either found guilty or acquitted. It wouldn't cover a hung jury. Also, I've never heard of a 7 year statute of limitations except in civil cases and rape cases and even those vary from state to state. Yes, I believe that if a person committed a crime they should face punishment if they are guilty no matter if they committed the crime yesterday or 50 years ago. Also it's important to remember the difference between a civil and criminal case. I am referring to criminal cases here.

[ryndell]

murder is the only case or a capital offense there is not a state of limitation, anywhere.

[ĐR]

Yes, depending on the severity of the crime is what determines a statute of limitations. As far as I know, there is no statute of limitation on the crime of murder. Different states however, enact different statutes of limitations on different crimes.

[MarvinRules]

roamer1 said:

Double jeopardy only applies if someone has been tried and either found guilty or acquitted. It wouldn't cover a hung jury. Also, I've never heard of a 7 year statute of limitations except in civil cases and rape cases and even those vary from state to state. Yes, I believe that if a person committed a crime they should face punishment if they are guilty no matter if they committed the crime yesterday or 50 years ago. Also it's important to remember the difference between a civil and criminal case. I am referring to criminal cases here.

Cival cases have a shorter limitation than Criminal cases. In most cases you have 3 years. The court figures that if you wait longer than 3 years to complain about $$$ that you did not really need it that bad.

Some crimes should have no statute of limitations, like murder. Otherwise they can kill someone(s) and then go into hiding for a few years, then be scott free! That is not fair. They should be punished.

[ĐR]

marvinrules said:

roamer1 said:

Double jeopardy only applies if someone has been tried and either found guilty or acquitted. It wouldn't cover a hung jury. Also, I've never heard of a 7 year statute of limitations except in civil cases and rape cases and even those vary from state to state. Yes, I believe that if a person committed a crime they should face punishment if they are guilty no matter if they committed the crime yesterday or 50 years ago. Also it's important to remember the difference between a civil and criminal case. I am referring to criminal cases here.

Cival cases have a shorter limitation than Criminal cases. In most cases you have 3 years. The court figures that if you wait longer than 3 years to complain about $$$ that you did not really need it that bad.

Some crimes should have no statute of limitations, like murder. Otherwise they can kill someone(s) and then go into hiding for a few years, then be scott free! That is not fair. They should be punished.

You are absolutely right, Marvin.

[ryndell]

personally i dont think there should be a statue of limitations on any crime. if you did the crime you should do the time.

[« tman »]

bree said:

hmm..Don't really have a yes or no to that...Exept KKK peeps should rot in a cell filled with man-eating rats. -cheerful eh?

What makes the KK different from other racists?

[wildmaven]

Great points, everyone!

Marian

[Silivrentolwen]

I dislike racist ppl to a great extent, I just made a comment about the KKK because they where mentioned.
I think me and you talked about the racist subject on the other general talk board/thing.

[kitsunex]

1998 they arrested an 85 year old former nazi troop living in america, just for the sake of him for being aligned with Hitler.