Programmed Sentencing in China

An anonymous reader writes to mention a unique combination of coding and social justice. A court in China has been using software to mete out sentences in criminal cases. The program has been in use for almost two years, and has passed judgement in some 1,500 cases. From the article: "'The software can avoid abuse of discretionary power of judges as a result of corruption or insufficient training,' the paper quoted Zichuan District Court chief judge, Wang Hongmei, as saying. But some Chinese newspapers criticized the move as a farce that highlighted the 'laziness of the court' and that would not curb judicial corruption as touted."

Comments

Forever Loop?

[Average_Joe_Sixpack]

Would that be the same as a life sentence?

Re:Forever Loop?

[Anonymous Coward]

In communist China, the computer hangs you!

Moo

[Chacham]

while (thereAreCases()) {
  defendant = defendant.getNext();
  defendant.innocent = (defendant.powerful || defendant.powerful);
  if (!defendant.innocent) firingSquad.add(defendant);
  else firingSquad.add(prosecutor);
}

No Whammies!!!!

[dave562]

I just had this visual of this poor Chinese guy surrounded by a bunch of blinking screens, his hand hovering over a big red button, praying, "No whammies, no whammies!!"

now thats what I call

[ptr2004]

a KILLER APP

The MS version

[apillowofclouds]

"It looks like you're trying to sentence someone. Would you like some help?"