Posted on 09/12/2014 4:21:45 AM PDT by marktwain
Governor Christie is closely following the Shaneen Allan case. This fact was mentioned at the tail end of an article about New Jersey lawmakers attempting to reform the State's gun laws, which are some of the most restrictive in the country. From cbslocal.com (NewYork):
Christie says he’s been following the case closely but doesn’t like to intervene in cases until they’ve had the opportunity to work their way through the judicial process.The Shaneen Allen case has become something of a cause celebre because of the bizarre injustice of the New Jersey law. Allan faces a mandatory three years in jail for a "crime" that appears to be without any criminal intent. The act is a clear case of Malum prohibitum (wrong because it is prohibited) instead of evil of itself. Lawmakers are hoping to avoid the embarassment of more cases like Ms. Allen's. Allen is being prosecuted for being in possession of a gun in New Jersey, without a New Jersey license. She holds a valid Pennsylvania concealed carry license and volunteered the possession of the gun when stopped by New Jersey police, close to the border.
“I don’t like to intervene in the judicial process until the judicial process has an opportunity to work its way through,” he said. “I think then and only then is it the appropriate time for a governor to consider action.”
Of course, there is the possibility that Democrats see this as a way to "embarrass him".
Hopolophobic laws from a hopolophobic State.
Too bad he is a hopolophobic governor, which BTW, is why he will NEVER be POTUS (among many, many other reasons).
The problem with his waiting for charges to be reduced or dropped is it puts Ms. Allen through pure hell in the interim and costs her a fortune that she can’t afford. The brutality of the process is something that Christie, as a former U.S. Attorney, ought to understand and take into account.
Fatso playing Hamlet with this woman’s fate, it’s disgusting!
I’m no fan of Christie. But, he did veto two draconian gun laws the rats tried to pass this past year.
In addition to disgusting, it’s politically um for him. After all, the Bloomturds aren’t the ones who’ll vote in the Pubbie primaries, it’s the NRA members and supporters. Pardoning her now would give him a leg up with all of us.
As much sympathy as I have for Allen, I think Cristie is doing the right thing here. Governors should not comment on cases while they are in process, period. Think about the damage Jay Nixon has done by making his thoughts known rather than waiting. My hunch is that is she is convicted, Christie will pardon her immediately.
Christie is treating the Shaneen Allen travesty like he is treating his weight. He “watches” it, but does nothing about it.
Christie is treating the Shaneen Allen travesty like he is treating his weight. He “watches” it, but does nothing about it.
I totally disagree.
Firstly, the Governor's power to pardon most certainly IS part of the judicial process. The very reason for such power is to prevent miscarriage of justice.
Secondly, it ought to be obvious that this woman is being prosecuted solely for "bearing arms", an activity explicitly protected by the Constitution. To suggest that some additional clarity is needed before ceasing this prosecution is entirely unwarranted.
I live in the People's Republik of Kalifornia. After two landmark Supreme Court cases, Heller and McDonald, the State has failed to repeal a single gun law, despite repeated justifications used by both the courts and the legislature that no individual right to keep and bear arms exists.
The courts owe to gun owners the same benefit extended to voters when legislatures violated voting rights; the courts should mandate repeal and stay prosecutions until the legislature has specifically addressed their infringements.
Actually waiting sets a terrible precedent. Christie should issue an immediate full pardon and make it clear that he will do so in any future case of this kind. It would be a very public slap in the face to the idiot judge and prosecutor both of whom desperately need it.
Suggesting that this woman be forced to undergo a criminal prosecution, spend thousands of dollars defending herself all because fat boy wants to stay out of it is absurd.
You have convinced me. His pardon could be a bully pulpit for following the Constitution.
“Commuted” isn’t good enough, wipe the slate clean!
No way should she be stuck with any conviction on her record!
He doesn't really have much of a choice, does he? While I suppose you can technically pardon someone for crimes that they haven't been convicted of yet, it does seem inappropriate for a governor to interfere with a criminal case currently being prosecuted.
I mean, if there ever was a good time, this would be it, I suppose, but I wouldn't like the precedent.
Isn’t Shaneen Allen in jail in New Jersey? This travesty will only be compounded by her staying there. Kristy needs to end this at the earliest time. His state is wrong and he knows it...
Actually, he does. Bush I did the same thing with preemptive pardons to stop the Lawrence Walsh witch hunt.
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