This is what we get when we criminalize vices , even a misdemeanor can easily cost any one of us our jobs, of course he felt compelled to defend himself in the only way he could, to swallow the evidence. The penalties are WAY out of whack with the “crimes” , especially when they follow you for life with our computerization.
We’ve got a “throw the book at ‘em” mentality when it come to drunk driving (0.08 and less, no accidents) yet when a judge offers to “help” a suspect in exchange for sexual favors, the judge isn’t disbarred or fired or sentenced the same as a drunk driver (time, fines, community service).
PS, the judge has just made a case for those seeking appeals that there is a difference in the quality of court appointed legal representation and they exert some influence over who gets which lawyer...
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/breaking/6781092.html
Judge sentenced to 30 days in official oppression case
By RENEE C. LEE
Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
Dec. 21, 2009, 11:11PM
Harris County Criminal Court-at-law Judge Donald Jackson on Monday was sentenced to 30 days in jail and two years’ probation following his conviction on a charge of official oppression for allegedly trying to strike up a relationship with a drunken driving defendant in his court.
Jackson, who was found guilty of the misdemeanor by a jury last Friday, also was ordered to perform 200 hours of community service, pay a $4,000 fine and take 25 hours of state-approved legal ethics courses for each of the next two years by state District Judge Mark Kent Ellis.
Ellis, who admonished Jackson, 60, for his actions, also ruled Jackson must leave the bench, pending appeal.
“You demean what it means to be a judge,” Ellis told Jackson. “We are all tarnished by your stupidity.”
...The oppression charge stemmed from the DWI case of Ariana Venegas, 28, who accused Jackson of offering her a better court-appointed lawyer if she took up his offer of a romantic relationship that was “more than a one-night stand.” She testified last week that Jackson told her that if she was not interested in a relationship with him, she would be convicted because he was the judge on her case.
...Jackson, who was suspended with pay by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct after he was indicted in August, has an annual salary of $140,000.
...He was released from the Harris County Jail after posting $5,000 bail late Monday.
Vices have been criminalized since the founding of the nation.