The NY Times profiled four non-violent inmates serving mandatory life sentences. The article is here. Fact: of the 141,000 inmates serving life sentences, 41,000 are serving life with no chance of parole.
Why is parole so disfavoured? Don't we trust the professionals who have trained to be in the position to make such a decision? Shouldn't people who are incarcerated be evaluated individually instead of collectively by the crime they were convicted of? Isn't that what this country is about? That each individual has the right to be judged by who they are as an individual, and not as a member of a race or any particular class. And yet with sentencing, we are avowed collectivists, tossing any individuality on to the trash heap of vengeful punishment.
Should parole be granted sparingly for some crimes? Sure. But for the incorrigible twenty five year old who keeps getting arrested for serious but non-violent crimes, there should be a chance at redemption ten, twenty, thirty years later. Not only would the chance at parole motivate prisoners, but it is in keeping with an enlightened society that values individuals and rewards those who make themselves better.
The Dolphins looked downright good yesterday.
Yes, the blog has a new look. After 2,285 posts, we changed the template to all black on Saturday to mourn the children killed in the horrible tragedy last week in Newton, Connecticut. Having changed from an old style template, we couldn't go back to our cherished bubbles, so in a way we were forced to upgrade to the new look. Enjoy. Many minutes of thought went into the new look.
Seven more shopping days until Christmas; 14 days until we tumble over the fiscal cliff. Last full week of work for the year.
See you in court.
When you see something that is not right, not fair, find a way to get in the way and cause trouble. Congressman John Lewis
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11 comments:
Loved the "Playoff "Picture" posted on Sunday night football last night. Fins are still " in the hunt" at 6-8. If Bengals, Steelers, Fins finish year 8-8, Fins could be in.
Of course, to do that, we would only have to beat Tom Brady in his house.
We looked good because we were playing the worst team in football.
You know who looked good? The Rookie of the Year; not Luck or RG III, instead it was Russell Wilson.
no parole is better than the death penalty. cannot compromise that.
Wow! What an improvement. Clean lines. Bright colors invite reading and comments. Sharp lines and an easy read. Good work.
Do away with across the board mandatory minimum sentencing in Florida for trafficking.
Instead, change the language of the law to impose the mandatory minimum only when there is sufficient evidence to prove that the defendant was actively engaged in the sale of the substance. Verdict form would require jury to make this finding before a court could impose the min man.
Trafficking cases that are glorified possession cases (addicts with large amounts of pills with no evidence of anything other than personal use) should be drug court eligible.
I just realized I can see my office in the picture of the REGJB on the blog.
An oldy but a goody:
"I hererby resign the office of Judge of the Circuit Court effective immediately.
Sincerely,
Roy T. Gelber
Circuit Court Judge."
THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:
JUDICIAL ROTATION 2013 .....
CIRCUIT:
Coming to GJB are:
Maria de Jesus Santovenia
Maria Verde
Teresa Pooler
Miguel de la O
Leaving GJB:
Victoria Sigler to Civil
Beth Bloom to Civil
Antonia Arzola to Civil
Lisa Walsh to Civil
Leon Firtel to Family
COUNTY:
Coming to GJB are:
Diana Gonzalez
Leaving GJB:
White Labora to DV
Other moves:
Lawrence King from Criminal to Civil at SDJC
Norma Lindsey from Juvenile to Civil
Ivonne Cuesta to Criminal Hialeah
Tanya Brinkley to Criminal SDJC
Michaelle Alvarez Barakat to Criminal SDJC
Jose Rodriguez moves from Family to Civil
Lourdes Simon moves from Civil SDJC to Civil downtown
Marcia Caballero from Civil to Family
Stanford Blake from Family to Civil
And the final two announced moves, the ones you never want to find out about, because they mean you are destined for either retirement or an early head-stone .....
Michael Genden from Civil to Probate
Martin Shapiro from Civil to Probate
CAPTAIN OUT
captain4justice@gmail.com
12:08
We need not to get rid of Min/Mans but Legalize or at least De-Criminalize Drugs. The Whole Criminal Method of dealing with drugs has failed.
You DO NOT SAVE A PERSON FROM THE 'EVIL' OF DRUGS BY MAKING THEM A FELON.
Legalize & Tax, add a fee for addiction services and Health cost related to drug use.
Keep it illegal to drive Impaired.
Stop the business of illegal drugs .
should we legalize and sell cocaine and heroin? i think not. legalize weed and call it a day..
Legalize possession, prosecute sale and trafficking amounts.
I think it is true, our society rewards those who make themselves better after finishing their imprisonment. It is better to motivate prisoners by providing them atleast a chance to live a better life. Therefore, In my opinion parole is much better than the death penalty. Thanks for the post. miami dade county attorney
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