Originally Posted by
FlyingStone
ATCos have gone to prison in the past for issuing visual approach clearances in less than optimal weather conditions,
Can you give me an example of a controller who has gone to prison and what specifically the "less than optimal" weather conditions were? In the US, at least, if the reported weather is at least 1000/3sm, and the pilot states that he has the field in sight, the controller can issue a clearance for a visual approach. If the pilot subsequently screws things up, that's on the pilot.