Does this fit the definition of cruel and unusual punishment?
Back in December, 63-year-old Johanna Cassimore got caught shoplifting $258 worth of stuff from a Walmart in Mount Olive, New Jersey.
Her trial was earlier this month, and the judge fined her $250, plus court costs. She also got ten days of community service.
But in addition to that, he said she’s not allowed to set foot in any Walmart for the rest of her life.
Johanna thinks that’s excessive, so she’s appealing. She says Wal-Mart can ban her for life if they want to, but a judge shouldn’t have that authority. The thing is: Walmart already banned her.
She signed a form at another Walmart a few years ago that said she’d never go to one of their stores again. It’s not clear if she was caught shoplifting that time too.
Also, she’s not planning to obey the order even if she loses her appeal. She hasn’t gone back to the Walmart she got caught at, but says she’s already gone to several other Walmarts nearby.