This was inspired by another thread which got off-topic.

Sometimes moderators and members have a difference of opinion and the mod makes a mistake.  When is it appropriate to ban someone?  http://www.aspiesforfreedom.com/showthread.php?tid=16812

Other times it really is a troll and he’s making people very unhappy.  
This is the on-line version of an issue that is common in a lot of places.  

Someone on another thread talked about being in an Aspie group home with a character who is abusive and intimidating, and the manager uses his AS as an excuse for his behavior.  http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt106955.html

I’m sure everyone can think of examples of times when someone had to make a judgment call.

Obviously, Aspergers itself is not the cause of someone’s aggression.  But a lot of us have other issues along side the AS.  Some people have temporal lobe seizures, some have problems finding the right medication, there can be any number of causes, and punishment is not the answer to any of them.  

“Your right to swing your arm ends where my nose begins.”
But is it possible to keep the wimpy people safe and comfortable, and at the same time give the aggressive person a chance to connect and maybe learn a few social skills?  

Trolls are an important part of the picture, whether we like it or not.
Kicking him out won’t teach the troll anything.  He’ll just go and bother someone else.  

Of all places, an Aspie site should figure out a way.  If we can’t handle it in a place like AFF or WP, how can we expect the rest of the world to figure it out?

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How does banning work around here?  Is it forever, or is it for a specific time?

Here is my feeble suggestion, submitted for your approval.
If anyone can think of other ideas, I’m all ears.

Create a new rank/category for people on “probation.”  Limit these members to one certain forum, and limit their private massages to moderators and specific friends.  (AFF has “buddy/ignore lists,” but I can’t figure out how to use them.)

Threads in the designated Troll forum would not show up on “Latest Threads” list.  If the regular members don’t want to go there, they can ignore it completely.

From there, the Administrator can figure out specific rules for when the member can come back from probation or whether he should be banned, and for how long.

This way, people who have been banished by mistake can try to clear up any misunderstandings.  And the people who have been banished for good reason can still have contact with those who don’t mind too much, and maybe someone can explain a few things to the troll.