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Sometimes, the justice system works in mysterious ways. While most judges keep it simple, with monetary fines and time spent behind bars, others do get quite creative when it comes to ruling on a suitable punishment. Indeed, some judges believe that some crimes do deserve very specific types of sentences, but this means that those found guilty sometimes have to pay for their crimes in rather peculiar ways.
Curious? Click through and get to know some of the most bizarre criminal sentences ever handed down.
A woman from South Carolina named Cassandra Tolley was sentenced to eight years in prison after seriously injuring two people while driving under the influence. But the judge added a little extra to the sentence.
Tolley had to read the Old Testament and write him a report on Job. “Job made it through, and [the judge] wants her to know she can too,” said her pastor.
A 13-year-old girl named Kaytlen Lopan and her friend chopped off the hair of a three-year-old in a McDonald's play space in Utah. When Lopan went to court, Judge Scott Johansen ruled that he’d reduce her sentence if she chopped off her own ponytail.
French politicians Jean-Francois Cope (pictured) and Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet won a lawsuit against a critic who called them names on Twitter.
The critic not only had to pay a fine, but he was also sentenced to tweet one specific message 466 times over 30 days. The message was: "I have severely insulted Jean-Francois Cope and Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet. I regret and apologize."
Melissa Dawn Sweeney from Texas was convicted of animal cruelty after two horses were found in poor condition behind her trailer home.
Judge Mike Peters sentenced Sweeney to 30 days in jail, the first three of which on a diet of bread and water. "She's going to get more than her horses got," said the judge.
In 2011, an Ohio couple decided to ride a raft down a flooded river, which led to hours of work by rescue teams. They were found guilty of misconduct during an emergency, but their sentence was far from the average fine or jail time.
They were ordered to stand in a kiddie pool at a town festival wearing life jackets and handing out water safety brochures.
In 2008, Judge Paul Sacco of Colorado decided to sentence people who play their music too loud in a creative way. He ordered repeat offenders to listen to Barry Manilow and the ‘Barney and Friends’ theme song for one hour, loudly.
Painesville Municipal Court Judge Michael Cicconetti is known for his unusual sentences. One example includes ordering a defendant who passed a stopped school bus to take time off work and ride with the school bus driver, so that he could see how dangerous it can be when a car goes around a school bus.
Another peculiar sentence by Judge Cicconetti was ordering a student who broke a local resident’s window during a prank to pay for it, as well as do yard work at the resident’s house for six hours.
The most popular sentence by Judge Cicconetti is that of the "Pig Man," as it was dubbed by the media. In 2002, the judge sentenced a Painesville man who called the police “pigs” and other obscenities to stand on a street corner for two hours with an actual pig and a sign that read “This is not a police officer.”
A couple who were caught being intimate at Headlands Beach State Park were ordered to take out a newspaper ad apologizing to everyone who witnessed it.
Michael Logar, who ran away from police, was ordered to run even more. Though this time the judge sentenced him to do so in The News-Herald Johnnycake Jog, so that he could reduce his six-month jail sentence.
A woman who abandoned dozens of kittens was sentenced to spend the night alone in a remote area of a park (though there were rangers looking out for her) with no shelter or food.
Though it turned out to be a bad call, as they had to abort the mission at midnight, after the weather got worse. The woman had to spend the rest of the night in jail.
A 25-year-old man from Andalusia, Spain, took his parents to court when they stopped giving him money. The judge ordered him to leave his parents' house within 30 days and get a job.
After Daniel Mireles of Texas stole US$250,000 from a crime victim's fund, Judge Kevin Fine decided to charge him with a peculiar sentence. Mireles (not pictured) was ordered to stand on a street holding a sign proclaiming his crime every single weekend for six years.
Russell Teeter, who exposed himself to a 10-year-old girl at his workplace, was sentenced to 60 days in jail and ordered to wear a t-shirt saying “I am a registered *** offender” at work for 22 months.
In 2008, Andrew Vactor went to court for playing hip-hop music too loud in his car. Judge Susan Fornof-Lippencott said she’d reduce his fine if he spent 20 hours listening to classical music by Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin.
Seventeen-year-old student Tyler Alred from Oklahoma was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter after killing a friend in a drunk driving accident.
To avoid being locked up, he had to—among other things—finish high school, graduate from welding school, take blood tests, and attend church for the next 10 years.
Ohio photographer Mark Byron took to Facebook to call his estranged wife "evil" and "vindictive." Judge Paul Meyers ruled that Byron violated a temporary protection order, which could mean a US$500 fine and facing 60 days in jail.
The alternative was to catch up with child support payments and post an apology on Facebook for 30 days. It turns out Mark Byron only did so for 26 days, but another judge found it to be enough.
In 2003, teenagers Jessica Lange and Brian Patrick were found guilty of stealing and defacing a statue of the baby Jesus in a nativity scene.
Not only were they sentenced to 45 days in jail, the pair also had to march through their hometown with a donkey and a sign that read “Sorry for the jack*** offense.”
Jason Householder, 23, and John Stockum, 21, threw bottles at a woman's car and had to pay a US$250 fine each. But they also paid for their crime in a unique way.
The Ohio men (not pictured) also had to walk around downtown Coshocton for an hour wearing dresses, wigs, and makeup, to avoid 60 days in jail.
Sources: (The Week) (BBC) (The News-Herald) (Los Angeles Times) (Reuters) (NBC News)
Bizarre criminal sentences you won't believe are legal
From apologies on social media to mandatory yard work
LIFESTYLE Justice
Sometimes, the justice system works in mysterious ways. While most judges keep it simple, with monetary fines and time spent behind bars, others do get quite creative when it comes to ruling on a suitable punishment. Indeed, some judges believe that some crimes do deserve very specific types of sentences, but this means that those found guilty sometimes have to pay for their crimes in rather peculiar ways.
Curious? Click through and get to know some of the most bizarre criminal sentences ever handed down.