What is a just punishment

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Just punishment
The law exists to govern the behavior of human beings and take disciplinary action against those that deviate from the set rules. Generally, infringements of the law are either torts or crimes. Torts involve civil wrongs committed for which it is possible to compensate the victims fully. Crimes, on the other hand, are regarded as violations against the state, or humanity. Just punishment, therefore, depends on the nature of the crime. Either way, it should serve the purpose of compensating the aggrieved parties, inflicting punishment on the offenders to deter others from committing similar offenses (Beccaria, 67).
My recommendations for the following offenses are stated and briefly explained:
Jaywalking. A monetary fine. The offense is often a blatant disregard for the law, against which the offenders should pay a financial penalty. Cheating on a test. Academic suspension. Cheating affects the credibility of an institution. It is, therefore, befitting that a violator of the same should not be allowed to proceed with their studies as per the scheduled timeline until they understand the gravity of their offense.
Excessive use of power by a correctional officer. I would recommend their dismissal from employment and imprisonment. Correctional officers represent the will of the masses, and their actions should not be in anyway similar to the convicts.
Sexual misconduct by a correctional officer. Dismissal from employment, compensatory fine, and imprisonment.

There is no taking back the trauma of sexual violation. As such, an officer who commits such an offense should not be allowed to continue but should pay a restitution fine to the victim, and serve a jail term for their actions.
Illegal gambling. Community service. Illegal gambling takes the form of robbing the law-abiding citizens of their hard-earned money. It is, therefore, befitting that offenders should serve the same members of the society.
Prostitution. A fine. When involving adults, prostitution is just contempt of the law, and a monetary fine would suffice. However, if a minor is involved, then a jail term is necessary, to deter others.
Cheating on your spouse. Divorce. Nothing can heal the emotional wound, and the only sensible course of action is to separate from the cheating spouse to further harm in the future.
Cheating on a girlfriend/boyfriend. Separation is the ideal punishments as it prevents further emotional pain to the victim from a repeated action.
Child sex abuser. Life sentence. This is a vile offense that contradicts the laws of nature, and an offender should be separated from the rest of the society to protect them from his/her perversion.

Work Cited
Becarria, Cesare. On Crimes and Punishment. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1764. Print.