The Illustrated Guide to Criminal Law
Chapter 3: Punishment 
Page 1: Why punishment?

The Criminal Lawyer’s Guide to Criminal Law (with pictures!)

Part Three: “For the Love of God, WHY?”

Average Joe running off with a woman’s purse.

NARRATOR

Let’s say you committed a crime, harming society.

The State bonking Joe with her big freakin’ hammer.

The State responds by harming YOU.

Joe looking beat up.

It’s reasonable to ask yourself

JOE

Why?

NARRATOR

What possible purpose is served by the State adding injury to injury?

How does adding MORE suffering make society any better off?

[Note: These chapters originally appeared as single, long-form posts on Tumblr. They have been broken down into individual pages for this website, for better comprehension and discussion.]