Grand Blanc Shoplifters Turn Car Washers: Innovative Michigan Sentence

Shoplifters at Walmart in Grand Blanc Township may have been surprised when they were caught, but chances are they were much more surprised by their court sentence.

You could say their dishonest, thieving hands are about to be cleaned.

Genesee County District Court Judge Jeffrey Clothier recently sentenced 48 shoplifters to wash cars outside of the Walmart from which they stole.

Yes, you read that right. Thieves will be washing vehicles in the Walmart parking lot on Saginaw Road. These car washes will be free for the public. Additionally, the shoplifters are required to repay Walmart for the items they took.

Judge Clothier had this to say about 'Wash for Walmart',

'Everybody who's here in the courtroom today is going to be doing community service, washing cars, so the people that actually go to Walmart and pay for their goods, they are going to get a free car wash from the people that think it's a good idea to go there and steal.'

You can see a video below of Judge Clothier delivering the sentence.

The car washes are scheduled from late March to early April. Any shoplifters in custody will be taken by the police to the car wash location.

According to ABC 12, police will be present on-site for each wash day, as will Judge Clothier.

What are your thoughts on Judge Clothier's sentence? Should more judges consider creative approaches to punishing criminals? Feel free to share your thoughts.