China the Beautiful

chinapage

A 26-year old migrant worker got money from ATM machine
when it malfunctions. He was sentenced to life!

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/22/content_7647313.htm

chinapage · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:03 pm Post subject:

News.
The man 'stole' money from ATM machine when it
melfunctioned was sentenced to life imprisonment.
The case was widely reported in China.

The case is re-opened by the higher court for review.

http://www.china.org.cn/english/China/243558.htm

chinapage · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:47 am Post subject:

The man took USD20,000 from a melfunctioned ATM machine,
and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

This has created a good deal of comments about the fairness
of the court.

Upen appeal, the court has reduced the life sentence to 5 years.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-03/31/content_6579687.htm

Aolung · Joined: 10 Jul 2002 Posts: 1037

chinapage · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 11:23 am Post subject:

Dear Alfred:
I know little about the current status of the Chinese courts. My impressions are Sad

1) People do not know how the courts decide
on cases, thus do not trust the courts to help them to adjudicate
their cases. (2) The courts do not seem to hand out judgments
consistently or evenly, either in one court or from different courts.
(3) The courts are just another government agency, like the police,
which work on behalf of the government, but not the people.
(4) We do not need more laws, but better adminstration of laws.

However, I think that there are improvements in the local
court systems. Appeals are also better and easier, as shown
by this case.

Ming