Yeah, and you’d smile when that man was thrown in jail because the law was upheld.
Only if he started in with the, "But the law isn't fair ... make an exception for me ... I had to do it ... where's your compassion?".
On the other hand, if he took it like a man, if he admitted he knew it was wrong, that he was willing to face the consequences for his actions, well, I'd shake his hand.
I'd still lock him up.