Re Gutierrez crime and punishment: on the one hand, you don't want to screw him up for life based on this one crime -  the first one where he was caught. On the other hand you want him to get the message actions have consequences.  I think he would have been a good candidate for caning in lieu of incarceration, in addition to the fines and the community service.  Given that caning may not go over with the American public, I felt the judge came close to the right balance. Except she might have directed he receive some psychiatric counseling.  I prefer caning to incarceration for certain criminals because it gets the person back into society quicker, it costs the state much less to administrate, and it makes an impression on the person.