That banning system is handicapped. It doesn't teach them anything.
Here is mine:
First: Kick (if the problem is severe then skip this step and move to next)
Second: Ban for five minutes.
Third: Ban for a few days.
Never permaban, it's useless and you often forget what they even did. If they do something horrible like spam your server so bad it crashed, then I suppose that would be a reasonable reason to perma ban someone.
I find it funny how everyone thinks I have an admin abuse problem even though I follow my own rules and guidelines and don't do handicapped, abusive things.
Sniper, stop double posting, just use the edit button.
Edit: There is no official banning process, stop treating Ethan's post like an amendment.