Look...I understand how complicated an instruction this can be. I mean...you have to be able to read English, understand what the word "stop" means, translate that to the complex physical activity of stopping your car, AND comprehend that the thick white line painted on the street RIGHT NEXT TO THE WORD STOP is where you have to...um...STOP!

That line isn't just a good idea! It allows cars turning left to be able to negotiate the intersection without contortions. It also provides the sensors that control some intersections' lights with the information that there is a car in the (usually) left-turn lane. Too far from the line and the sensor won't detect a car, and the system will assume that no left turn arrow is necessary.

Is it a capital crime to ignore the stop line? Well, maybe I am a bit harsh, but yes. Although I wouldn't be averse to a 20 year mandatory sentence for the first infraction.