Wrong is right, Jman47's sorrow.

[jman47]

Not quite sure where to put this, figured a political debate about it was most relevant.

This is the one thing in america that strips my sockets the most. more than corrupt parties, Overly PC hippies and Bigots, Worthless politicians, buereuacratic paralyzation, voter apathy, youth decay, prison overpopulation, education failure, legislative pork, and the comlete abivilance and ignorance to all aforementioned issues by the majority of the electorate combined.

In 2006 Lindsey Lohan was charged with a DUI. After missing several AA classes, skipping the country, and missing a court date over a passport issue, she still gets nothing more than an ankle monitor and a stern 'dont mess up again' from the judge. overall she spends 30k+ to stay out of prison.

one of my closest friends, 'jessica' has recently been charged with a DUI. She is currently trying to get her GED after dropping out of high school to avoid an openly abusive boyfriend. she has a 2 year old son, and is trying to get her life in order. She has been sentenced to serve 3 weeks in prison. she does not get visiting time, even with her son. Jessica is naturally broke and barely suviving on welfare and help from her parents. she is not violent, on drugs, or a risk to herself, her family, or any others.

Apparently justice in this country is indeed blind, yet only when the blindfold is laced together with $100 bills twined with gold and studded with diamonds. never before have i felt so hopeless about the state of this country, never before so utterly disgusted. RIP America, your dream has been dashed. not that this issue is new, it has happened for much time. but with it hitting so close to my heart this time, i feel the need to speak of it.

ITT discuss the issue of american justice being directly proportional to the balance of your bank account.

[magickyleo101]

Was this her first offense? Also, where did she get charged? Jail time is kind of harsh for a first time DUI. (Though it could be worse: I worked on an appeal once of a young girl who got 90 days for a first DWI offense. Her court appointed attorneys not only ed up the trial itself really hard, but they also didn't preserve any issues for appeal so there wasn't anything we could do. )

I feel where you're coming from with the disparity in sentencing. If it makes you feel better, I think your friend and Lohan are the exceptions - most people get sentences they largely deserve.

[jman47]

Was this her first offense? Also, where did she get charged? Jail time is kind of harsh for a first time DUI. (Though it could be worse: I worked on an appeal once of a young girl who got 90 days for a first DWI offense. Her court appointed attorneys not only ed up the trial itself really hard, but they also didn't preserve any issues for appeal so there wasn't anything we could do. )

I feel where you're coming from with the disparity in sentencing. If it makes you feel better, I think your friend and Lohan are the exceptions - most people get sentences they largely deserve.

Indeed it was her first. not sure the exact city she was charged, but it is in LA county. she had a court appointed defender due to her being broke. she cant afford a private attorney, nor can I or her family. I got a call from my local police dept yesterday, apparantly because they took her phone contacts down. I told the officer a bit about her, and advised him that she was not violent or on drugs, and he told me he would keep in touch with me about her situation. I am also in touch with her, they have yet to decide when she will serve, im hoping that they will try to keep her out of prison. I actually hoping they could call me as a character witness. Im sure i could offer several compelling reasons why jail would not be suited for her or be the best punishment for the crime. i think 3 weeks in an in-patient rehab center and mandatory AA classes would be better, combined with probation i think it might grow her up a bit without opening her up to hardcore drug addicts and small time gang members usually found in the LA jail system. I personally think jail would only hurt her further, rather than help her.

[Dr. Croccer]

Justice is always too hard on people that are innocent, and too soft on those that are guilty.

[Central Asian Qaghan]

Well, the first mistake was drinking while driving. I think if your smart enough to know that DUI is a crime and that if you drink you shouldn't drive, then she deserves what she gets. Irregardless of her sad story. Her justice is porportional and rightly so to her crime.

[Salem1]

Legal ''justice'' is a joke, this is nothing new

[Nikos]

Moved to the Academy, not a current political event.

-Nikos

[Gromovnik]

life sucks, welcome to the world...

[Captain Jin]

America is notoriously lenient with celebrities who commit crimes. I'm not sure how it is in Europe. But we see in the US celebrities in and out of jail over and over regarding drug charges and then meanwhile regular people are put away for decades after a couple of charges. I mean look at all the things that Charlie Sheen has done. And he still makes absurd amounts of money. Dr. Dre beat some woman up severely. Paris Hilton got in trouble for whatever it was and just got a slap on the wrist. I mean there are countless examples of it. But it's just that people here worship celebrities so damn much. I can't even stand the fact that we have people becoming famous for pretty much nothing. Like Kim Kardashian.

[Plan C]

America is notoriously lenient with celebrities who commit crimes. I'm not sure how it is in Europe.

Eh, don't even get me started mate:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle6721701.ece

Just one example. There are more but this one makes me properly furious. Gerrard is thicker than pig's poo anyway and isn't even that good these days. Break a leg, Steven. No, seriously.

But it's just that people here worship celebrities so damn much. I can't even stand the fact that we have people becoming famous for pretty much nothing. Like Kim Kardashian

"People used to be famous because they were important. Nowadays they are important merely because they're famous". Can't remember who said it but it's right on.

Jade Goody (RIP) became a national celebrity in the UK because she could fit her whole fist in her mouth. Kim Kardashian example is also spot on.

[Phier]

I had an idiot friend who got a DUI, he got no jail time, the guy before him in court got jail time after his defense failed to weasel out of it.

Without any of the court proceedings its rather impossible to judge how 'unfair' it would be. She got a DUI which is rather poor form for someone trying to 'get their life back on line'. Three weeks is nothing, but perhaps it will teach this person who obviously makes very poor judgement calls 'dropping out of school, abusive boyfriend, unwed mother' that you should think before doing.

[Søren]

one of my closest friends, 'jessica' has recently been charged with a DUI. She is currently trying to get her GED after dropping out of high school to avoid an openly abusive boyfriend. she has a 2 year old son, and is trying to get her life in order. She has been sentenced to serve 3 weeks in prison. she does not get visiting time, even with her son. Jessica is naturally broke and barely suviving on welfare and help from her parents. she is not violent, on drugs, or a risk to herself, her family, or any others.

Upsetting as it probably is to have that happen to your friend, I'd say 3 weeks jail time is a pretty fair punishment for DUI. If you're going to be that cavalier about other people's safety, you pretty much deserve a few weeks in prison. That's not to say I wouldn't sympathise with the rest of her problems, though.

[KngGilgamesh]

The US Constitution has the Rule of Law...
Boy did my driving teacher(also my coach) drill about the DUI, quite a lot. I don't even drink(because of age and religion) the punishments are harsh, still maybe harsh enough as it is quit at large. DADD and MADD and SADD and BADD are working on it. A wrecked vehicle usually gets in front of my High School by the MADD, to frighten the invincible teenagers during prom time.

[chamaeleo]

Not quite sure where to put this, figured a political debate about it was most relevant.

This is the one thing in america that strips my sockets the most. more than corrupt parties, Overly PC hippies and Bigots, Worthless politicians, buereuacratic paralyzation, voter apathy, youth decay, prison overpopulation, education failure, legislative pork, and the comlete abivilance and ignorance to all aforementioned issues by the majority of the electorate combined.

In 2006 Lindsey Lohan was charged with a DUI. After missing several AA classes, skipping the country, and missing a court date over a passport issue, she still gets nothing more than an ankle monitor and a stern 'dont mess up again' from the judge. overall she spends 30k+ to stay out of prison.

one of my closest friends, 'jessica' has recently been charged with a DUI. She is currently trying to get her GED after dropping out of high school to avoid an openly abusive boyfriend. she has a 2 year old son, and is trying to get her life in order. She has been sentenced to serve 3 weeks in prison. she does not get visiting time, even with her son. Jessica is naturally broke and barely suviving on welfare and help from her parents. she is not violent, on drugs, or a risk to herself, her family, or any others.

Apparently justice in this country is indeed blind, yet only when the blindfold is laced together with $100 bills twined with gold and studded with diamonds. never before have i felt so hopeless about the state of this country, never before so utterly disgusted. RIP America, your dream has been dashed. not that this issue is new, it has happened for much time. but with it hitting so close to my heart this time, i feel the need to speak of it.

ITT discuss the issue of american justice being directly proportional to the balance of your bank account.

Alcohol is a drug, and driving while intoxicated is not exactly a safe thing to do. What was her toddler doing, while she's driving around drunk? Was he in the car?

While I sympathize with your sentiment (Justice is a commodity), I have a really hard time feeling for DUI offenders, and even more of a problem with irresponsible parents. Put these together, and I can kinda see how harsh judgements are passed.

Still, best of luck to you and your friend. Hopefully something good will eventually pan out of this...

[jman47]

Alcohol is a drug, and driving while intoxicated is not exactly a safe thing to do. What was her toddler doing, while she's driving around drunk? Was he in the car?

While I sympathize with your sentiment (Justice is a commodity), I have a really hard time feeling for DUI offenders, and even more of a problem with irresponsible parents. Put these together, and I can kinda see how harsh judgements are passed.

Still, best of luck to you and your friend. Hopefully something good will eventually pan out of this...

Her son was at home, she was with friends. Why is everyone assuming her son was in the car with her. she makes some dumb decisions, but is not a bad mom.

and i never condoned her actions, just complained of the actions of the justice system.

as a side note Lindsey Lohan violated her DUI parole AGAIN and stayed out of jail AGAIN because she is rich. This whole thread is not about debating whether what my friend did is right or wrong, because it was wrong. This thread is about debating whether its right for justice to be served in the US based on a person's bank account.

[Phier]

It appears that Beverly HillsJudge Marsha Revel has had enough of Lohan’s inability to follow the law and seems to be more than willing to send the actress to the slammer. Let’s remember that Lohan was fitted for the anklet late last month after she failed to show for a mandatory hearing on her probation related to an earlier DUI case.
Revel may have been pushed too far this time. Immediately following the report that the device went off, she issued a bench warrant for Lohan’s arrest as she ruled that the actress was “in violation of bail.”
And, because of the most recent violation, Lohan’s original bail of $100,000 was raised to $200,000. Lohan’s handlers posted bail but her attorney is back in court today for a closed-door session with the judge.
Of course the actress is denying everything, she has been in denial since day one. This time she posted a message to her Twitter account saying “I did not violate anything at all. My SCRAM wasn't set off... It's physically impossible considering I've [done] nothing for it to go off. All of these false [reports] are absolutely wrong."
Lohan is not due back in court until July 6. Let’s see if she can keep herself out of trouble until then. Sadly, my money is on NO. The saga continues…

Much of the disparity can depend on the state and the judge involved being so much is left to their discretion.

[chamaeleo]

Her son was at home, she was with friends. Why is everyone assuming her son was in the car with her.

I wasn't assuming, I was asking you out of genuine curiosity. Thanks for the reply.

My Mom, on whose death certificate is scrawled "Cause of Death: alcoholism", used to drive us all over the place while absolutely plastered, so please don't act as if drunken-mother chauffeurs are a strange and rare bird. If I sound uncharacteristically harsh, perhaps I'm biased for a very good reason?

she makes some dumb decisions, but is not a bad mom.

Leaving your son at home (with...?) so you can go out partying is good parenting? Interesting strategy...

She's young, but too bad. She'll just have to deal with missing many great aspects of being young. I have no doubt she loves her kid greatly, and those 15 days will scar her to a much greater degree than they would her fellow offenders in the Pokey. As I said earlier, I hope that from this experience she realizes that her kid's needs are paramount. Especially as a single mom, her place is with her kid...not out desperately trying to capture the free spirit lifestyle she surrendered when she decided to become a Mommy.

and i never condoned her actions, just complained of the actions of the justice system.

as a side note Lindsey Lohan violated her DUI parole AGAIN and stayed out of jail AGAIN because she is rich. This whole thread is not about debating whether what my friend did is right or wrong, because it was wrong. This thread is about debating whether its right for justice to be served in the US based on a person's bank account.

Get used to it. Jailtime is for the poor! If anybody's considering a life in crime, I say go for broke in the white collar sector. As in Monopoly, your assets will buy your way out of jail. If not, consider the 1-2 years of imprisonment a good networking opportunity...

[Phier]

Get used to it. Jailtime is for the poor! If anybody's considering a life in crime, I say go for broke in the white collar sector. As in Monopoly, your assets will buy your way out of jail. If not, consider the 1-2 years of imprisonment a good networking opportunity...

Violent crime is also for the poor. White collar crime tends to be non-violent.