Prosecution as Rent Seeking We are back with the incentive to prosecute The civil version of the problem Targeting deep pockets instead of guilt Via punitive damages or class actions Civil forfeiture for criminal offenses My proposal puts your ownership of your labor at risk Niven's puts the value of your organs at risk My dice rolling isn't quite as bad,since there is no profit to hanging someone But if punishment is cheap and potential defendants have little political power We may be too willing to punish. A new argument against(cheap)capital punishmentProsecution as Rent Seeking • We are back with the incentive to prosecute • The civil version of the problem • Targeting deep pockets instead of guilt • Via punitive damages or class actions • Civil forfeiture for criminal offenses • My proposal puts your ownership of your labor at risk • Niven’s puts the value of your organs at risk • My dice rolling isn’t quite as bad, since there is no profit to hanging someone • But if punishment is cheap and potential defendants have little political power • We may be too willing to punish. • A new argument against (cheap) capital punishment