What is zero tolerance law?

Answer 1

Zero tolerance means that discretion has been removed from consideration, and that the slightest infraction will be punished.

This has translated to such silliness as kids being suspended for a 'gun' when the item was a water pistol.

Answer 2

Zero Tolerance Laws allow for no exceptions. For example, Virginia's zero tolerance law is that if a driver under the age of 21 is pulled over and is found to have any, even a trace, amount of alcohol in their system, they will be arrested.

Answer 3

"Zero tolerance" means that a described behavior or action will result in immediate described consequences. Schools have written zero tolerance policies about weapons, drugs, and crime. Some schools even have zero tolerance about clothing, hairstyles, or candy. A recent case in April-May 2010 resulted in a grade school child with many days of detention when a friend shared a candy bar (unopened) at lunch time. The mother is appealing and has threatened to sue and put her child into private school. In another case, a teen girl was punished for "sharing" a Midol (a pain reliever used for menstrual cramps), based on the zero tolerance for drug use and drug use on school campuses.

"Zero tolerance" has become a buzz-word in communities and government. The threat is that drugs, crime, prostitution, seeking a prostitute, and a whole host of crimes will not be tolerated and will be swiftly dealt with. The problem though is that most behavior modification only works as a deterrent when the "criminal" is caught in the "bad act", so most true criminals continue their bad acts without regard of any zero tolerance laws.

Answer 4

A zero tolerance law is a law that allows for no exceptions. For instance, if a state has a zero tolerance law on drinking and driving, those caught will be arrested.