If you were on the Jury. (poll)

[BlueJazz]

You're called to Jury Duty.
The plaintiff in the case is a Hacker who has written a Virus that is a well known worm that has wrecked havoc on millions of Computers.

The defendant is a man who found out about the Hacker while at a bar one night.
He heard the half-drunk Hacker bragging about his virus to his friends. When confronted, the hacker said: "Yea...I wrote it..So what?"
The defendant then proceeded to beat the living shit out of the Hacker and before much damage was done the police arrive and take the defendant to jail.

The Hacker has a black eye, busted lip and many bruises but is not permanently hurt.

How do you vote?

PS: This is the Defendants first brush with the law.

[GOPisEvil]

1. Is this a criminal case or civil?

Is this the defendant's first offense? Besides, except in capital cases, the judge determines penalty (unless there are mandatory minimum sentences).

My vote, though, to answer the question would probably be that the defendant is guilty of assault and battery (if this is a criminal matter). Punishment? If it's a first offense, and the defendant just snapped, and shows remorse, then maybe probation and counseling. If the defendant shows no signs of remorse and/or has priors, then maybe he needs a little jail time.

[BlueJazz]

4. Good Point!.. GOPisEvil....I added a PS n/t

[LynneSin]

2. Is there no "Fry em in the electric chair" option?

:shrug:

[mosin]

3. Guilty of battery

Probation would be appropriate.

In a civil case, the damages in favor of the hacker should be nominal, maybe $100.

[trotsky]

5. We are a nation of laws.

Vigilante justice only causes more problems than it solves.

The defendant is guilty, but I would give him 5 minutes in jail followed by a beer and a hearty handshake. ;-)