Why do MD judges excuse bad behavior?

[Sharon]

Assualt a cop and get off free

A judge, while acknowledging he believed a college football player was ''guilty as sin,'' acquitted him of charges related to a run-in with police after a lawyer argued that a conviction could end the player's career.

''Son, you are about to get an early Christmas present, because I know what effect a probation would have,'' Hayman told the defendant Monday. ''And it is a gift, because you are guilty as sin. I'm going to find you not guilty.''

Powell admitted cursing at an officer and leaving the motel room after police entered. Officers then used pepper spray on Powell and said he was under arrest. Afterward, Powell fought with officers and tried to run, police said.

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/230/nation/Md_judge_says_college_football:.shtml

 

[Pete]

I hope the judge who did this gets mugged and the cop that brought the charges is walking by and says to the mugger, "You are guilty of assault, but I am going to give you an early Christmas present and not stop you."


Wooo, way to teach the meaning of "consequences" there judge.

 

[BuddyLee]

Originally posted by Sharon
Assualt a cop and get off free

A judge, while acknowledging he believed a college football player was ''guilty as sin,'' acquitted him of charges related to a run-in with police after a lawyer argued that a conviction could end the player's career.

''Son, you are about to get an early Christmas present, because I know what effect a probation would have,'' Hayman told the defendant Monday. ''And it is a gift, because you are guilty as sin. I'm going to find you not guilty.''

Powell admitted cursing at an officer and leaving the motel room after police entered. Officers then used pepper spray on Powell and said he was under arrest. Afterward, Powell fought with officers and tried to run, police said.

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/230/nation/Md_judge_says_college_football:.shtml

Given a chance to make a killing in money and this is what some sports players do. I guess some people think their over the system. Throw the book at em'.

 

[ylexot]

Originally posted by Pete
Wooo, way to teach the meaning of "consequences" there judge.

I think we should teach the judge about consequences and have him disbarred. Is that possible?

 

[vraiblonde]

The judge is just trying to get the kid ready for a career in the pros where bad behavior is not only expected, but rewarded.

 

[Kain99]

You guys are acting like this kid committed a felony! Gee Whiz!

 

[Pete]

Originally posted by Kain99
You guys are acting like this kid committed a felony! Gee Whiz!

No he is just practicing for felonies.

 

[Kizzy]

Yea Pete, but you do not know that. I'm sure this incident cost this kid a great deal of money, because he does have a lawyer and not a public defender. And since this incident has cause the kid so much hassle, he may think twice before doing anything like that again.

The average cost, to house one person in jail a month, is roughly $1800.00 a month. Each and every one of us pays that housing expense in the form of taxes. I'm sorry, but the mouthy kid that got verbally belligerent at a drunken hotel party can go free, save room for the repeat offenders to spend some time in the pen, I say.

 

[ylexot]

I don't think anybody is saying that he should go to jail. There can, and should, be leniency in sentencing. However, it is the judges job to judge someone guilty if the evidence supports that verdict. There should not be any consideration other than the evidence in a guilty/not guilty judgement.

 

[Christy]

If the assaulted cop was smart, he'd sue the pants of the guy in civil court once he makes his first couple millions. :shrug:

 

[Pete]

Originally posted by IM4Change
Yea Pete, but you do not know that. I'm sure this incident cost this kid a great deal of money, because he does have a lawyer and not a public defender. And since this incident has cause the kid so much hassle, he may think twice before doing anything like that again.

The average cost, to house one person in jail a month, is roughly $1800.00 a month. Each and every one of us pays that housing expense in the form of taxes. I'm sorry, but the mouthy kid that got verbally belligerent at a drunken hotel party can go free, save room for the repeat offenders to spend some time in the pen, I say.

Waaaaa you know he would not have gotten jail time. The article said he mouthed off, and fought the cops and tried to get away. I am thinking a GUILTY verdict, probation and a big fine ontop of the rest of his expenses would have been a bigger impression. People who pull that crap do not view it as a "gift" they veiw it as "gotten away with". I will lay you odds he will be back in the news because about 3 hours after he walked out of the court room his sence of "I am an untouchable football player" was raised to the power of 3. Hopefully he doesn't mistake some ones daughter saying "no" as "No really I want you to rip my panties off" because afterall he is a popular big shot who gets what he wants and doesn't have to answer for it.

 

[Tonio]

Maybe the judge is a Terps fan and cares more about his alma mater winning than he does about justice.

Originally posted by IM4Change
The average cost, to house one person in jail a month, is roughly $1800.00 a month. Each and every one of us pays that housing expense in the form of taxes. I'm sorry, but the mouthy kid that got verbally belligerent at a drunken hotel party can go free, save room for the repeat offenders to spend some time in the pen, I say.

I think we can lower the costs of prison drastically (smaller cells, no exercise yard, solitary confinement, a diet of nothing but beans, rice and bread, etc.).

But no matter how much prison costs, it still comes out of our pockets. That's why I believe prison should only be for offenders who are demonstrated dangers to society (crimes like murder and rape and aggravated assault). While I would LOVE to see Ken Lay do hard time in maximum security, I think society would be better served if his punishment was having to give up everything he owns. Let him work in a fast-food joint to support himself.

 

[Sharon]

I don't think anyone is asking for the kid to be in jail either. He could've gotten probation or the charges put on the stet docket instead of the "not guilty" verdict; especially since the judge was so convinced of his guiltiness.

As for the money it cost the kid, he should've thought about that and his career before hitting the cop.

 

[Kyle]

Originally posted by Christy
If the assaulted cop was smart, he'd sue the pants of the guy in civil court once he makes his first couple millions. :shrug:

 

[Kain99]

Originally posted by Sharon
As for the money it cost the kid, he should've thought about that before

But how many times can we all apply this philosophy to ourselves.

 

[ylexot]

Originally posted by Tonio
Maybe the judge is a Terps fan and cares more about his alma mater winning than he does about justice.

I'm a Terp and think the judge should have found him guilty, but I'm sure it's possible for the judge to be more devoted to helping MD win.

Originally posted by Tonio
I think we can lower the costs of prison drastically (smaller cells, no exercise yard, solitary confinement, a diet of nothing but beans, rice and bread, etc.).

But no matter how much prison costs, it still comes out of our pockets. That's why I believe prison should only be for offenders who are demonstrated dangers to society (crimes like murder and rape and aggravated assault). While I would LOVE to see Ken Lay do hard time in maximum security, I think society would be better served if his punishment was having to give up everything he owns. Let him work in a fast-food joint to support himself.

Sounds good to me. I'm ok with the exercise yard, but take away the cable TV and internet access.

 

[Sharon]

Originally posted by Kain99
But how many times can we all apply this philosophy to ourselves.

Me - zero...how many times have you been arrested?

 

[Kain99]

Originally posted by Sharon
Me - zero...how many times have you been arrested?

Zero times... I wasn't referring to his arrest.

 

[Sharon]

Originally posted by Kain99
I wasn't referring to his arrest.

My statement was.

 

[ylexot]

Originally posted by Kain99
But how many times can we all apply this philosophy to ourselves.

If there are no consequences for your actions, you will never think of them.