Comment Re:Responsibility lies with the Taxpayers (Score 1) 201
Only restitution?
First, what's proper restitution for being compelled to post something on a Facebook post? I don't think I'd accept $20K to allow somebody else to put something I disliked on my Facebook account, myself.
A formal apology. If you can show that you suffered any real damages from the false facebook post, including your time or reputation, then you would be entitled to just compensation for those.
Second, the guy had to spend money and time to get the suit going, and had no certainty of getting anything. Offering restitution only (and then only when winning) means that it's most likely the best move to just let the police do whatever to you without recourse.
Your legal costs should of course be included in that restitution.
The legal system should not exist to enrich someone out of proportion to how they were harmed. If people won't pursue justice if they don't have the chance of hitting a big jackpot, then it's probably not very important to them after all.