CALL-IT-YOURSELF JUSTICE

One who might consider taking out insurance, but who has not so far, is New York City Criminal Court Judge Alan Friess. Last year Friess was censured for inviting a woman murder suspect, whom he had released without bail, to stay overnight in his home with him and his girlfriend. Now Friess has touched off another minor furor. Faced with a repeat offender in a pickpocket case, Friess proposed a novel way to set the sentence. He offered the defendant the chance to toss a coin: heads for 30 days, tails for 20. The coin came up tails. Friess's flip approach piqued the district attorney. But the judge would not budge.

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