Here on Earth, sociologists tell us that there are essentially 4 purposes for our criminal justice system. These take on varying degrees of popularity from time to time, but these 4 -- to some degree or another -- are always present. There's no real deep analysis here. I'm just looking at how our favorite characters disply each rationale. Maybe it's a sounding board for you guys, because I just don't feel like thinking too hard right now.

They are:

1. Punishment
2. Retribution
3. Incapacitation
4. Reformation

"You're going to pay for all the Jedi you killed today, Dooku."

Well, I suppose we know Anakin's view on criminal justice. Here, he believes that his own form of vigilante justice is the proper way to punish the Sith Lord.

"It's only natural. He took your hand ..."

Palps seems to think that revenge is a dish best served cold. An eye for an eye ... or a head for a hand ... would seem to preserve social order.

"He's too dangerous to be left alive."

Palps and Windu think alike on this one.

"There is still good in him."

For you old-timers who actually read my old stuff, you'd know that a long time ago I equated Vader to Anakin's living prison. Deep stuff.

A little history on criminal justice is appropriate here. The first prison in America were essentially Puritan-run establishments where criminals were locked in a room with a Bible. These were also the first state-sponsored non-dungeon facilities in the world. Prisons as we know them today are relatively new concepts and were founded the idea of reformation.

Spiritual idealism clashing with real world practically threw this out the window in the seventies when inmates going through the revolving doors hit the streets and killed with very high recidivism rates.

Now, we're at the other end of the pendulum seeking incapacitation by puting 3-time dope smokers in prison for life. "Victim's Rights" legislation has also put some psychology into the thoughts of retribution, giving victims some closure.

Interesting stuff, but it's probably best left to late-night pontificating. I'm going to the Tavern.