&gt; In the case of the $0.98 cent drink, CLEARLY, the $1230.00 cost in working the case and holding the accused&#x2F;guilty is NOT cost effective.<p>It may not be, but the cost of the drink vs. the cost of enforcement alone is not sufficient to show that. What you&#x27;d need to know is the net <i>effect</i> of the enforcement costs -- what future thefts would have happened without them that they prevent by deterrence (general or specific), incapacitation, or rehabilitation (including the particular enforcement actions contribution to the broader deterrent effect of the collective enforcement of similar offenses throughout society.)