You Be The Judge

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

What sentence would you give the kid?

FACTS:
Two people died
The kid had a suspended driver's license
The kid was speeding
The kid ran a stop sign and hit a car
The kid was using mom's car without permission

The maximun sentence is 30 years.

 

[Boxlicker101]

What sentence would you give the kid?

FACTS:
Two people died
The kid had a suspended driver's license
The kid was speeding
The kid ran a stop sign and hit a car
The kid was using mom's car without permission

The maximun sentence is 30 years.

There's not enough info to make any kind of call. How old is "the kid?" If he is 16, he might rate some slack. It also depends on his previous driving record, which is obviously not good, but if he has just one speeding ticket, that is also not so bad. On the other hand, if he is 25 years old and has a long history of reckless and/or drunk driving, I say lock the SOB up and throw away the key. At least it will make the streets that much safer.

 

[Liar]

There's a reason why kids can't get driver's licenses in many countries: Kids are not fully legally responsible for their actions. It's therefore irresponsible of the rest of us to trust them with publically wielding a 60 mph anvil on wheels.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

BOX

The kid was days shy of 18 when he pulled the stunt.

The judge gave him 30 years. The newspaper is apoplectic and hired a legal gunslinger to try and free the kid.

But there is precedent for the sentence. 20 years ago a woman ran a light, hit a truck passing thru the intersection, and killed one of her children (the 2nd child is a vegetable). The OTHER driver had no license and was charged with the wreck, the woman wasnt charged with anything though she ran a red light. The OTHER driver got LIFE in prison.

 

[sr71plt]

He was close enough to being expected to think clearly as an adult to receive some prison time--the specific circumstances would influence how much, I think.

Pretty much anyone beyond 14 who determines they have the right to continue driving on a suspended or revoked license is totally self-centered and irresponsible and should be put off the road permanently, I believe. And then when they do so and cause bodily harm, they should be incarcerated.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Well, the kid went back to court today and the judge sentenced him to...GET THIS...27 years of house arrest. The judge cant change the sentence but he can change the place of incarceration. The kid served 3 years and has appealed his sentence a few times. The appeals court said the sentence was good to go.

The judge sez the two public defenders were incompetent, but no action is planned against the public defenders.

 

[jomar]

Well, the kid went back to court today and the judge sentenced him to...GET THIS...27 years of house arrest. The judge cant change the sentence but he can change the place of incarceration. The kid served 3 years and has appealed his sentence a few times. The appeals court said the sentence was good to go.

The judge sez the two public defenders were incompetent, but no action is planned against the public defenders.

That's a fucked up situation all round, it seems. Including the precedent you cited.

 

[jomar]

He was close enough to being expected to think clearly as an adult to receive some prison time--the specific circumstances would influence how much, I think.

Pretty much anyone beyond 14 who determines they have the right to continue driving on a suspended or revoked license is totally self-centered and irresponsible and should be put off the road permanently, I believe. And then when they do so and cause bodily harm, they should be incarcerated.

Some folks drive with a suspended license because they have to support a family.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

JOMAR

30 years is a bit much. The judge gives everyone maximum time. Hee hee, the judge before him made drunks cut their cars into pieces with a torch.

 

[jomar]

JOMAR

30 years is a bit much. The judge gives everyone maximum time. Hee hee, the judge before him made drunks cut their cars into pieces with a torch.

Judges Roy Bean live!

 

[Oak_Tree]

JOMAR

30 years is a bit much. The judge gives everyone maximum time. Hee hee, the judge before him made drunks cut their cars into pieces with a torch.

I just feel bad for everyone involved, including the families that will have to put the pieces of their lives back together.

 

[sr71plt]

double post

 

[sr71plt]

Some folks drive with a suspended license because they have to support a family.

If they had permission to drive, the license wouldn't be suspended. If it's suspended, it's because they didn't handle it responsibily--just like they are doing by flaunting the law and continuing to drive. Catch them and throw them in the slammer if they aren't going to abide by the judgment. We all have to overcome difficulties in getting things done in our daily lives. They should have thought about the value of having the privilege before they let it go into suspension.

Sorry, but the laws aren't only made to be applied when convenient--and are just as applicable to those who would rather not follow them as they are to the rest of us.

 

[jomar]

If they had permission to drive, the license wouldn't be suspended. If it's suspended, it's because they didn't handle it responsibily--just like they are doing by flaunting the law and continuing to drive. Catch them and throw them in the slammer. They should have thought about the value of having the privilege before they let it go into suspension.

Sorry, but the laws aren't only made to be applied when convenient--and are applicable to those who would rather not follow them as they are to the rest of us.

I'm not talking about people who are 'flaunting the law.'

Clearly, licenses don't go away by accident. But because someone might continue to drive doesn't mean they are 'totally self-centered and irresponsible' (your words). Sometimes they fuck up and still try to meet their family responsibilities. And they take their chances with getting pulled.

I'm not saying they should be excused if caught, simply that folks circumstances may leave little choice but to drive without a license once shit happens. And I understand about they should've made different choices in the first place.

 

[sr71plt]

I'm not talking about people who are 'flaunting the law.'

Clearly, licenses don't go away by accident. But because someone might continue to drive doesn't mean they are 'totally self-centered and irresponsible' (your words). Sometimes they fuck up and still try to meet their family responsibilities. And they take their chances with getting pulled.

I'm not saying they should be excused if caught, simply that folks circumstances may leave little choice but to drive without a license once shit happens. And I understand about they should've made different choices in the first place.

If they were meant to continue driving on a suspended license, there wouldn't be any meaning in suspending licenses. Isn't this sort of a duh? And if they flaunt it, yes they are being self-centered and irresponsible.

Guess if they are going to ignore the judgment, the answer is to throw them in the slammer for the time of suspension rather than giving them the break of still being able to continue their lives and finding alternative means of transport to address their personal breach of the law to begin with.

 

[jomar]

If they were meant to continue driving on a suspended license, there wouldn't be any meaning in suspending licenses. Isn't this sort of a duh? And if they flaunt it, yes they are being self-centered and irresponsible.

Guess if they are going to ignore the judgment, the answer is to throw them in the slammer for the time of suspension rather than giving them the break of still being able to continue their lives and finding alternative means of transport to address their personal breach of the law to begin with.

Of course they are not meant to continue driving on a suspended license. And I'm not talking about entitled 14 year olds or chronic offenders, though I do understand it's a black-white issue with you.

But let's say you work for a cable company installing or inspecting lines. Your job requires you to drive all over several counties on a daily basis to peoples homes. Your income is primary, while your wife works part-time while looking for full-time work. You're frugal, but barely make ends meet, the kids want stuff you can't give them now, and your marriage is stressed.

You go out with an old school chum, drink too much watching the game at the bar and get a DUI (I know, I know). As a result your driver's license gets suspended for a year. If you lose your job you lose your income, home and who knows what else. Other jobs you've looked in to don't pay as well and even then you can't guarantee getting hired on. No family to bail them out.

What would you do? Take a cab? Could a friend drive you? Most people in that situation would roll the dice while probably trying to find a better job that didn't require driving.

Just to be clear sr, I'm not saying it should be legally condoned, if that was not already evident, I'm saying people screw up and do what they have to do.

 

[sr71plt]

Of course they are not meant to continue driving on a suspended license. And I'm not talking about entitled 14 year olds or chronic offenders, though I do understand it's a black-white issue with you.

But let's say you work for a cable company installing or inspecting lines. Your job requires you to drive all over several counties on a daily basis to peoples homes. Your income is primary, while your wife works part-time while looking for full-time work. You're frugal, but barely make ends meet, the kids want stuff you can't give them now, and your marriage is stressed.

You go out with an old school chum, drink too much watching the game at the bar and get a DUI (I know, I know). As a result your driver's license gets suspended for a year. If you lose your job you lose your income, home and who knows what else. Other jobs you've looked in to don't pay as well and even then you can't guarantee getting hired on. No family to bail them out.

What would you do? Take a cab? Could a friend drive you? Most people in that situation would roll the dice while probably trying to find a better job that didn't require driving.

Just to be clear sr, I'm not saying it should be legally condoned, if that was not already evident, I'm saying people screw up and do what they have to do.

No, it's not black and white. Black and white would be either to toss them straight into the jug or revoke the license to begin with for the "to begin with" infraction. (And, if the latter case, to toss them in the jug if/when they continued to drive--which many of them will, because they don't see the law as applying to them and have all sorts of scenarios to justify why it doesn't).

This is a class of people who always have excuses why it doesn't apply to them.

 

[jomar]

No, it's not black and white. Black and white would be either to toss them straight into the jug or revoke the license to begin with for the "to begin with" infraction. (And, if the latter case, to toss them in the jug if/when they continued to drive--which many of them will, because they don't see the law as applying to them and have all sorts of scenarios to justify why it doesn't).

This is a class of people who always have excuses why it doesn't apply to them.

No, I mean it seems to be black and white in your eyes because it's either-or and appears hard for you to see how individual circumstances can dictate certain choices despite legalities. Again, I'm not talking about entitled 14 year olds or chronic offenders. So it's not always a class of people who make excuses why the law doesn't apply to them, though they exist. I'm talking about those who drive without a license despite it being suspended because they really are doing the best they can for their families though the alternatives are dire - while still acknowledging they fucked up and taking responsibility for their behavior. Though I suspect this brings us back to the beginning.

 

[SweetPrettyAss]

If they had permission to drive, the license wouldn't be suspended. If it's suspended, it's because they didn't handle it responsibily--just like they are doing by flaunting the law and continuing to drive. Catch them and throw them in the slammer if they aren't going to abide by the judgment. We all have to overcome difficulties in getting things done in our daily lives. They should have thought about the value of having the privilege before they let it go into suspension.

Sorry, but the laws aren't only made to be applied when convenient--and are just as applicable to those who would rather not follow them as they are to the rest of us.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/flaunt

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/flout

 

[Dragonlipz]

30 years seems a bit excessive. He should be allowed to sit in an intersection and be t-boned at 60 miles an hour just like his victims. If he survives that then just sentence him to time served plus 30 days......so sense destroying his self-esteem.......

 

[sr71plt]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/flaunt

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/flout

Yeah, I looked at this and thought, "this ain't right," but then didn't bother to look it up. My bad.

 

[DeeZire]

Of course they are not meant to continue driving on a suspended license. And I'm not talking about entitled 14 year olds or chronic offenders, though I do understand it's a black-white issue with you.

But let's say you work for a cable company installing or inspecting lines. ....

Without quoting your whole post, 2 comments.

1. A first time DUI will get you a one month license suspension, followed by a year of a provisional license allowing you to drive to and from work only. A one year license suspension for a first time DUI doesn't happen, at least around here. (My friend just went through this, so I'm speaking from anecdotal experience.)

2. Anyone who makes their living driving is aware of the consequences of getting a DUI. As a musician, I'd be SOL with a suspended license, so about fifteen years ago when MADD revved up their efforts and the authorities started cracking down, I stopped drinking and driving. It's a matter of survival, just like the cable guy in your example. Unfortunately for him, he had a momentary lapse of judgement and forgot about survival when he got his DUI, which proves he's an irresponsible idiot. Chances are if he didn't get the DUI in your story, he would have screwed up some other way and ended up with the same consequences - a failed marriage and a foreclosure on his house. Some people (like me 20 years ago) just aren't playing with a full deck. Too bad. Go talk to Darwin about it.

 

[starrkers]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/flaunt

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/flout

Thank you.

 

[starrkers]

Of course they are not meant to continue driving on a suspended license. And I'm not talking about entitled 14 year olds or chronic offenders, though I do understand it's a black-white issue with you.

But let's say you work for a cable company installing or inspecting lines. Your job requires you to drive all over several counties on a daily basis to peoples homes. Your income is primary, while your wife works part-time while looking for full-time work. You're frugal, but barely make ends meet, the kids want stuff you can't give them now, and your marriage is stressed.

You go out with an old school chum, drink too much watching the game at the bar and get a DUI (I know, I know). As a result your driver's license gets suspended for a year. If you lose your job you lose your income, home and who knows what else. Other jobs you've looked in to don't pay as well and even then you can't guarantee getting hired on. No family to bail them out.

What would you do? Take a cab? Could a friend drive you? Most people in that situation would roll the dice while probably trying to find a better job that didn't require driving.

Just to be clear sr, I'm not saying it should be legally condoned, if that was not already evident, I'm saying people screw up and do what they have to do.

You treat your licence like the gold it is and take a cab to go out with the friend.

 

[sr71plt]

No, I mean it seems to be black and white in your eyes because it's either-or and appears hard for you to see how individual circumstances can dictate certain choices despite legalities. Again, I'm not talking about entitled 14 year olds or chronic offenders. So it's not always a class of people who make excuses why the law doesn't apply to them, though they exist. I'm talking about those who drive without a license despite it being suspended because they really are doing the best they can for their families though the alternatives are dire - while still acknowledging they fucked up and taking responsibility for their behavior. Though I suspect this brings us back to the beginning.

I see the individual circumstances. I see them being used as an excuse to just keep making rationalizations to screw up--and letting the screw-ups become more and more serious--until they do, in fact, kill someone with their own irresponsibility. The suspensions are a wake-up call. And they aren't all that black and white. They often are tailored to restrict within certain bounds. If they are ignored (and those living by the excuse and the "I am special and a exception" are going to ignore them until somebody gets their attention in a way they'll pay attention to) they obviously aren't enough punishment.

So, I'm not seeing this in black and white at all. I'm seeing this as the necessary response to people insisting just not to "get it" until someone makes it more painful to be irresponsible than to be responsible.

I don't think the courts are being stringent enough on this. We have people getting killed left and right on the road by other people drinking and driving on suspended/revoked/or no license. It's not the "just don't get it" guy (or gal) I give priority to in this circumstance.