Posted on 02/22/2005 3:11:15 PM PST by WKB
A Hattiesburg man has been sentenced to life in prison after his third drunk driving conviction.
Referring to the recent sentencing of Mark Allen Debrow, 37, District Attorney Jon Mark Weathers said he had pledged to punish habitual offenders.
"In our judgment, Debrow represented a significant risk to the public," Weathers said.
One of Debrow's prior convictions was in the 1990s, when he was convicted of aggravated assault after hitting someone while driving drunk, records show.
Victims' advocate June Renfrow said all victims want is justice.
"When a person receives a sentence and it's not just a slap on the wrist, then often that's the only way victims or their families can move forward with their lives," Renfrow said.
Did this guy kill someone while driving drunk or did he just get 3 DUIs?
It doesn't mention any deaths just drunk
Actually this would be a case where the appeals court SHOULD reduce the sentance, in the name of justice.
Habitual offenders in Forrest and Perry counties had better sit up and take notice: The criminal justice system will no longer tolerate the threat you pose to society.
Law-abiding, taxpaying citizens of Forrest and Perry counties should take heart: The judicial system is serious about protecting the rights of victims.
This is precisely the way it should be.
Forrest-Perry District Attorney Jon Mark Weathers has been in office for 20 months. During that time, defendants in 15 cases have received enhanced penalties because they are habitual felons.
Weathers is employing statutes that provide harsher penalties for offenders with multiple felony convictions.
In two cases, defendants received life sentences. In 13 cases, the penalties were doubled.
"We need the habitual criminals out of our communities," said Weathers. "We can't do this in every case, but the cases that come under this habitual offender law we will."
Justice is being meted out to repeat felony offenders in Forrest and Perry counties.
This is a source of encouragement to honest citizens.
It should also serve as a deterrent to criminals who think they can "beat the system."
Not in these parts.
Originally published February 22, 2005
Not quite.
According to a little web research I dug up, how it works is, the third (fourth in some states) shoplifting conviction is a felony. If you have two felonies already, THEN you violate the 3 strikes criteron, and you go down the road to Chain Gang for 'life', which is really 20 years in sentencing. Most state prisons make you do 2/3 time, so 20 years translates to a little less than 14 years. That, to me, seems reasonable for habitual felons.
Signed,
Hard-core Chain-Gang Lazamataz. (I'm so bad-ass, I'm gonna get a temporary tattoo!)
What was this judge thinking. Sounds like a bunch of taxpayer money is going to be wasted on a ridiculous ruling.
GOOD
The law doesn't seem to be about justice anymore. :(
Actually this would be a case where the appeals court SHOULD reduce the sentance, in the name of justice.
Are you sure you are a FORMER member?
LOL, I gave up Liberalism, not my sense of justice.
No, no--the punishment for drinking alcohol as prescribed by the Quran is 40 lashes. This is clearly an activist mullah.
This is a little stiif
25 to life would be better.
How is this possible?
How about 15 to 30 years, with a minimum time to be served of 10 years?
This is clearly an activist mullah.
Yeah, all felons should be allowed to drive and drink as often as they like. This guys is a multiple felon...he is hardly the victim of overzealous 'mullahs'
How about 15 to 30 years, with a minimum time to be served of 10 years?
OK Let me talk to my client.
Does it matter?
The nut who was arrested today for planning to assassinate the President can be sentenced to a maximum 80 years.
How is this possible?
Federal law Vs Mississippi State Law
Fine, we will discuss the plea bargain at our golf game next week. LOL.
Did this guy kill someone while driving drunk or did he just get 3 DUIs?
Does it matter
somniferum asked the question not me.
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