Pair get 8 years for serving beer at party

Washington Times ^ | 2-12-03 | Washington Times

[ambrose]

CHARLOTTESVILLE (AP)

[Byron_the_Aussie]

Not to be argumentative, amigo, but you know how we were talking about whether it's me, or FR, that's changed? I'll admit some of your darts hit home. But just take a look at these Freepers saying **eight years** in the slam is a fair sentence, for serving beer to minors in your own home. Can you imagine that happening, three or four years ago? Do you remember how much we used to collectively revile that kind of authoritarian goosestepping mindset? So, who's changed? Gladdened to see a few posters of principle have stepped up to the plate to call this outrage for what it is, btw. Cheers, By.

[RJCogburn]

I guess the son will do real well for the next several years with no parents around.

Idiot judge.

[mhking]

"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!

[weikel]

This is BS the judge should be hanged.

[decimon]

The judge refused, saying he saw the Robinsons as "a danger to the community."

Ban the guns! No dogs over 10 pounds! Pools kill! SUVs crunch children like roaches!

[Yeti]

At my high school graduation party, the county judge served the beer.
....Times have changed.

They sure have! Scary...

Many of us have anecdotes like yours. I know I do!

What strikes me as so odd is that the prosecutor only asked for a 90 day sentence, but the judge gave them 8 years!

Somewhere between the irresponsible, destructive, anything-goes mentality of yesteryear and the Church-Lady-jihad we are experiencing lately is a reasonably governed society.

I would furious if I found out about a parent getting my daughter drunk at a party, but an eight year sentence when apparently nobody got hurt is insane.

[RWG]

At my high school graduation party, the county judge served the beer. We must have been 500 people at that party. It was wild...the groundwork for all the carnage on the highways, domestic assaults, addiction, and gateway to the harder stuff.

[weikel]

I don't drink and I think its stupid... however the drinking age is unrealistic and this judge ought to be hanged. Hell in Cape Cod I hosted a part for buddies when my parents were out guess I should get 8 years too.

[Ron H.]

I too find myself having to agree with your position here Quix. Actions alway have consequences as they should.

[11B3]

An eight year sentence for this is way out of line! Hell, we've got baby rapers around here that only do 3-5 years. Or murderers doing 4-7 years. OTOH, we've got first time drug dealers doing 25-life. Go figure.

[eeriegeno]

The Robinson's do hard time while OJ, MJ, WJC, and many many others walk the street! Only in America...........

[weikel]

The country is mad...

[apillar]

Sounds like the judge was trying to make a "tough on crime" political statement from the bench probably up for reelection soon.

Odds are that the sentence will be reduced to the 90 days the PA wanted on appeal, as the appeal courts tend to take a dim view of sentences way greater than even the PA wanted.

[weikel]

Sounds like the judge was trying to make a "tough on crime" political statement from the bench probably up for reelection soon

Judges should never be elected.

[TheConservator]

I just watched a sentencing yesterday. The guy was a career criminal, his ninth felony conviction (but no crimes of violence). He was convicted of forgery (trying to pass a stolen check). He was given two years.

These parents apparently made one stupid mistake. They do not appear to be career criminals. Just the embarassment and the cost of dealing with the criminal conviction would be enough to deter most normal people from ever doing anything remotely like this again. They do not appear to pose any kind of continuing threat. But they get 8 years?

No way. They deserved about 30 days in jail, and maybe about 2 years worth of community service with an anti drug/alcohol component. But the lengthy consecutive sentences the judge imposed will not do either them, or society, any good.

[Wolfie]

Hey, you give a dangerous drug to kids, you take your chances. It's an "American Thing".

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...you give a dangerous drug to kids, you take your chances...

Thanks for that typically inane response, Wolfie.

Hey, talking about drugs, I clicked your 'find in forum' page. Got your drug thread habit under control, bud?

[banjo joe]

Good point: what now happens to the kid? If stupidity were a crime they should probably get some time. But even with 2-1/2 years served they're pretty much ruined. Who is making the house payment? Home is gone. What kind of jobs will they get when released? If you have a serious job or career you can't stand still for 2+ years.

[KC_for_Freedom]

As a former teacher, I have had to leave parties thrown by parents because alcohol was available to the students, most often the well off student body, athletes and student government. It was distressing that this was going on with parental consent. I did not know how wide spread it was. I would of course have lost my teaching credential for serving booze to minors. (And one teacher I know made that mistake).

This judge is calling attention to a real problem in a very novel way, actually enforcing the law. At the very least, the parents will pay some hefty legal fees.