I actually think it would take longer to copy it than to make your own.

And its so minimal that given the same variable names I can see multiple students in the same class coming up with the exact same function, except for spacing.

By his graph, it looks like he's saying that he waited until almost at the stop sign, sneezed and slammed on the brakes, came to a stop of zero duration while obscured behind another car stopped at the stop sign, then gunned it to cross the intersection.

And that the officer totally missed the difference in position between a car that sails through an intersection as opposed to one that both decelerates to a full stop and accelerates fully up to speed over a period of about 3 seconds,

Hmmm. Maybe...

But I'd really like to see this demonstrated. It would make an interesting project. Mythbusters?

"Lord of Light" is fantastic. I'd also add "Dilvish the Damned" to the list.

Nice tagline... now I'll have to re-read that book.

Not to disagree with the general intent on your post, but the golden rule isn't well worded. I'd hate to be in a room with a masochist who followed it.

Hmmm. I can't help thinking of a quote:
"Don't do the crime, if you can't do the time."

As for what would be just in this case, I don't know. I've seen the justice system do some amazingly right things, and heard of others that were terrible and a betrayal of public trust.

Sadly, it depends on the quality of the judge involved. And a criminal judge can do horrendous damage, both to the people involved, and the justice system itself.