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Ben Wallace, Jalen Rose sentence comparisons disturbing
What was the difference between Ben Wallace's sentence for driving under the influence of alcohol Tuesday and Jalen Rose's earlier this year?
Could be as simple as the judges
Even though there were handgun charges also involved with Wallace, he received one year probation, approximately $2,700 in fines and 30 hours of community service. No jail.
Rose got 92 days in jail and a year's probation, but but judge Kimberly Small - criticized for overly harsh sentences for drunk drivers by defense attorneys - suspended 72 days of the sentence. Still, Rose got considerable jail time, nearly three weeks, for what appears to be a lesser incident.
Judge Shalina Kumar presided over the Wallace case. You can debate which sentence is more just, but what is disturbing is the inequity here. Cases of this nature should not be decided strictly on the whim of judges. They need narrower guidelines when it comes to sentences of DUIs in this state.
Could be as simple as the judges
Even though there were handgun charges also involved with Wallace, he received one year probation, approximately $2,700 in fines and 30 hours of community service. No jail.
Rose got 92 days in jail and a year's probation, but but judge Kimberly Small - criticized for overly harsh sentences for drunk drivers by defense attorneys - suspended 72 days of the sentence. Still, Rose got considerable jail time, nearly three weeks, for what appears to be a lesser incident.
Judge Shalina Kumar presided over the Wallace case. You can debate which sentence is more just, but what is disturbing is the inequity here. Cases of this nature should not be decided strictly on the whim of judges. They need narrower guidelines when it comes to sentences of DUIs in this state.
Labels: Ben Wallace Jalen Rose
posted by Pat Caputo at
11:27 AM
7 Comments:
Looks like Big Ben got the star treatment in Oakland County for sure.
But honestly, I didn't expect this column from you today. On this day, I thought we'd be hearing about what a jerk Urban Meyer is going to be as a Big 10 coach!
Im sure Ben Wallace wouldve had a much harsher sentence if Judge Small had his case.
If you expect both judges to give identical sentences, why not do away with judges altogether, set a designated punishment for a given crime and stick to that. Then some columnist who has absolutely nothing to do with it will have to find something interesting to write about. Personally I wouldn't give a flying you-know-what how much time any of them got!
While I am in favor of harsher sentencing for DUI's, I totally agree that the difference in the sentences of Rose and Wallace is a travesty.
Pat,
I liked your analysis of these two cases. Kudos to you for addressing an important topic.
Alan
Drinking and driving laws have become stupid. The Law is just another revenue stream for the scumbag Lawyers and Self-Serving Judges. Stopping at the pub for a few should not be a crime that can ruin the next few years of your life. Bring back the old days when it was no B.F.D. to have a Beer between your legs when you were driving down the road. I did it for many years and never hurt a soul.
Pat, you still amaze me with your useless opinions. Have you ever had an original or creative thought.
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