Why was having a hand cut off a typical punishment for a pickpocket in colonial America?
A) The hand is a part of the body that can usually be safely amputated without risk of infection.
B) It was easy and convenient.
C) It was considered symbolically appropriate to punish the part of the body most directly connected with the crime.
D) It was considered the most painful punishment that could be administered.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Punishing the hand that committed the crime was seen as symbolically appropriate as it was the body part directly connected to pickpocketing. It served as a deterrent to others as well. Amputation was not necessarily seen as the most painful punishment, and it was not always done safely or without risk of infection.

Why Was Having a Hand Cut Off a Typical Punishment