Wow! A judge who actually gives a fair Sentense? I thought those kinds of judges were extinct.

I thought the article was well written, I was really surprise there wasn't any hate comments.

This is one of the only times that I've seen talking to the police actually helped.

very good article. glad that he had and still has a good lawyer!

chances are he and his family could afford a good attorney. no PD would have gone to bat for him like that. and while a PD might recommend leniency, a PD certainly wouldn't have pushed for it.

That was, weird? I agree, it was a paid attorney. I also am confused at to the leniency. I have seen guys with just as an untarnished record, going to school all that having far less on their computers and not that deviant, as they put it get far, far worse. I hope though, that this is a step in the right direction in some of these cases.

This can also be the difference between State and Federal. In Federal the judges hands are tied. I think without the mandatory minimums some Federal judges would be more lenient as well. Which brings up the point of the current issues about Federal mandatory drug sentencing being wrong. Well, if it is wrong for one group it is wrong for all.

While we usually don't hear about these cases/outcomes it is because; 1. they don't make for good ratings in the media 2. prosecutors usually ask for a gag order because they don't want to seem "soft" or "losing cases" 3. it's like bad reviews, you hear all the bad but who writes all the good?

In talking to two former prosecutors up here in the north they said about 50% of consensual sex cases get thrown out because "they are a waste of time and resources" and those that do make it usually get light sentences. And your chances get even better with a paid attorney.

Just remember the DA's office is often in the same position as the public defenders office; too many cases, too few people, little resources and budget.

Jackie,
I got royally screwed by a Federal Judge. There were quite a few downward departures that the prosecution had agreed with that the Judge threw out as "not applying to my case". If even half of them had been allowed, I would would have spent NO time in prison with minimal, 1-2 years, Supervised Release. Instead of a Felony, it would have been a Misdemeanor.
The "A" hole kept bringing up the "heartland" issue throughout sentencing. My lawyer told me that the judge would be the enemy and he was right. Nothing could be appealed.

I see that he did not go to jail but did I read it wrong? He will still have to register as a S.O. ????