Posted on 09/24/2008 11:00:32 AM PDT by Sopater
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A man facing prison time on a drug charge has gotten a break from a judge -- so that he can vote.
Twenty-four-year-old Javontez Lavel Ross pleaded guilty Thursday to possessing several bags of suspected heroin with intent to sell. But he asked Ramsey County District Judge Margaret Marrinan to postpone his sentencing so he could vote in the Nov. 4 election.
Ross, who said he recently moved to the Twin Cities from Chicago, would have been barred from voting if he had been sentenced before Election Day.
The judge granted his request, calling the contest a "historic election." She set his sentencing for Nov. 12.
Asked which candidate would get his vote for president, Ross said he hadn't decided.
People convicted of felonies are banned from voting until they finish their jail or prison time and probation.
So, is it the conviction? Or the sentencing? They are not the same thing.
The guy has already committed his crime. He plead guilty. He just hasn’t been sentenced. So why does this judge believe he deserves to cast a vote in this election? He’s already shown he has very poor judgment.
The judge stating this is a historic election makes it rather clear where her head is at.
Can just any attorney become a judge? It’s amazing what passes for reasoned logic for some of today’s judges.
Why isn’t the headline:
“Drug Dealer Can’t Wait To Vote For Obama”
“Prison Can Wait - Vote for Obama first!”
“Orange Jumpsuit Revolution? Convict Votes Obama”
I can see how the record-keeping might work like that. Thanks for the info.
The judge should be removed from the bench for attempting to influence an election by granting exceptions to established election law.
You, sir, are correct.
In a sane world...
Thanks Weegee. We’re on the same page here.
“Ross, who said he recently moved to the Twin Cities from Chicago......”
I bet he came here for our superb ice rinks and our good fishing.
I came here (from the Seattle area) for better prices on land so that I could buy a small farm (in Wisconsin).
No, it’s sarcasm. There are a lot of Chicago Ne’er do wells that come over here to take advantage of our services, not to mention too that our cops are wimps.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.