"Its an arguement used quite often, to prevent all jail terms from being raised and to grant lower terms to first time offenders."
Granted. The level of evidence, IMO, would have to be very high for a first time conviction to lead to such a long term jail outcome.
People are put to death when there is, theoritically, any shadow beyond doubt that they are guilty. Throwing people in jail for the rest of their lives on a first offence is police state.
Interesting new and unique defination for a police state.
If I walk outside right now and shoot an old lady in the head and they lock me up for life, that means I live in a police state...if thats my first crime ever?
Sounds like more of an endorsement for a police state then a condemnation of one.