Sally Yates Quotes

No one would normally accuse me of being soft on crime.

The real answer to the problem of crime committed by persons on bail, and indeed the solution to the general problem of crime, lies not in preventive detention of individuals presumed innocent, but in the speedy trial of the accused and the swift and sure punishment of the guilty.

The fact is that our administration of the criminal law has as nearly reached perfection in guarding the innocent (and guilty) from conviction as is possible for any human institution; but in securing the safety and order of the community by the conviction of the guilty it is woefully inadequate.

Every first year law student learns that sentencing has four goals: retribution, incapicitation, deterrence, and rehabilitation.

Given the devastation that crime can visit on families and communities, I will err on being a little too tough on crime than being too soft on crime.

We make no apology for people who should be in prison being in prison.

I'm a prosecutor first and foremost, and as a judge, I put people in jail for extended periods of time when that was appropriate.

Now, I - for several years while I was researching this book, I felt quite obsessed by thoughts about sentencing, punishment, how judges arrive at their decisions.

Generally speaking, the public appetite for criminal justice policy is just tough talk.

We must be vigilant in our actions towards criminals, and innovative in our approach towards solving crime.

One of the tests of the civilization of people is the treatment of its criminals.

Criminals are punished, that others may be deterred.

Bad people should be incarcerated.

The key for members of the public is that they want criminals to be punished. They want them taken off the streets. They also want criminals who come out of prison to go straight.

I'm very tough on crimes where there are victims who have been physically harmed. In such cases, I do not believe in leniency.

It's not crime that makes us more punitive in the United States. It's the way we respond to crime and how we view those people who have been labeled criminals.

Gang members aren't frightened into acceptable behavior by increased penalties, enhanced punishments, and the promise of new detention facilities.

There must be real consequences for those who commit crimes in our neighborhoods.

A proper criminal justice system exacts justice - that is, punishes criminals for their crimes. Rehabilitation and deterrence are worthy goals, but they are secondary to retribution.

I have prosecuted very serious criminals who are now serving very long jail sentences.

I think we will be safer when we can concentrate law enforcement and criminal justice resources and energies on those individuals who truly need, for the safety of society... to be incarcerated.

America's criminal justice system isn't known for rehabilitation. I'm not sure that, as a society, we are even interested in that concept anymore.

Punishment can do a lot for criminals, and send a message to the rest of society.

All emphasis in American prisons is on punishment, retribution, and disparagement, and almost none is on rehabilitation.

There's a simple way to solve the crime problem: obey the law; punish those who do not.