It can't be left to vigilante committees because only the government has the authority to mete out punishment in our society. The legal system attempts to minimize the possibility of punishing the wrong person better than a mob, and it also ensures that the punishment is not cruel or unusual. This doesn't mean that vengeance isn't one valid purpose of punishment. Also, not everyone would agree that vengeance is a vice, true vengeance is noble to Aristotle. "It is noble to avenge oneself on one's enemies and not to come to terms with them; for requital is just, and the just is noble; and not to surrender is a sign of courage."

"Detritus Affected"