Affluenza (Page 4)

he was probably a. poor or b.  black (hispanic, name minority here)

If only one person was killed how did he get charged with 6 counts?

Why is that, because 2 months in Juvy is so much worse than 10 years probation?  And the article said the 2 months would likely be reduced. They both got the same sentence basically.....all kids do with these driving crimes, and it's the right thing.

Other issue I have is that the people I know that are on probation... It is never really an issue until they get in a pinch, then it is only a nuisance type of deal, not a big deal. I do not see probation keeping people in line. I have no idea about the average probation officers case load, but I know here, it is not that rough a sentence.

I have a friend who ended up with an alcohol problem.  On his 3rd DWI he had to go to a special court.  he received probation, but the terms were unreal....and nobody was playing around.  IN talking to hinm about other people he had met there it was obvious that his probation waqs not unique.  Ankle bracelets, alcohol monitors in vehicles used only to go to work and back, AA meetings 4-6 nights per week......they basically controlled his life.  He's been sober now for almost 2 years and is doing well.  The only other option for him was prison.  I'm glad he didn't have to go.

But.....JFord, I think you are absolutely right about most probations that involve property crimes.....nobody really cares and the probation officers are swamped.

Brother, you can say that monkey's should fly out of his arse every 10 minutes for the next 100 years for all I care.  I don't see where anyone said you couldn't have an opinion.  Have at it.

setting aside the debate over the appropriateness of the sentencing in this particular case, what kind of precedence does the "spoiled rich kid" defense set for a generation raised on super sweet 16 parties and parents calling their college professors to change their grades for them?  i think my problem with this whole case is not the DUI multiple manslaughter and maimings, but the fact that his defense LITERALLY was that he was too spoiled to know better.   

You can raise any defense you want, he was still found guilty

http://ourlegaci.com/2013/12/13/please-excuse-davontaye-he-suffers-...

If he had taken a gun from his parent's home and shot someone as a minor, wouldn't the parents be on trial as well?

Seriously, his parents are at fault.  Put them on trial.  Regardless of socio-economic status, the actions of a minor are the responsibility of the parents.

Like I have said, intent is key with criminal cases and sentences.  You can make the argument that the person in your case didn't intend to kill anyone, the same as the court probably views the DWI case.....but our courts don't normally look at DWI deaths that way.  I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just pointing out how I've seen it go. 

 Also, I'd like to see a link or some documentation of where the 14 year old actually went...... I can't imagine he went to prison.  I know in my state you can't even be certified as an adult when you're 14......I can't imagine it's much different anywhere else.

This whole thing is something at work we like to call a "Cluster *u%k".  That said, at some point as a society we will either learn to quit doing this(which I think is impossible) or technology will make it impossible for us to drive "drunk".  They are already developing cars that can tell if you are intoxicated enough to not be behind the wheel in the first place.  Also at some point in the next 20 years most cars will be computer driven anyways.  Nevada is a state where it's legal to have a computer controlled car now.  Albeit you still have to pay attention while zooming down the road.

At the end of the day I think the kid got a slap on the wrist due to daddy warbucks getting him off.  I really don't see his life being ruined at all.  He was screwed up to begin with and I highly doubt a life of psychiatric "cleansing" will do anything for him.  Just my .02

Well I just saw this. I was going to post up, then realized the thread title I didn't understand a few days ago.

The criminal defense... pure utter Bull S... Lawyers can come up with anything. 

My first response was if he does not know right or wrong, what an AWESOME learning opportunity for him to learn one... but in fact, no. 

Fact is, prison does absolutely nothing... except make all you guys that had nothing to do with it think he got a good sentence. 

There is no free lunch here at all. His life will never ever be the same. And he is on probation... he is screwed. If indeed he is just a rich brat... he will be back, and he will be gone. He will continue to get in trouble, and he will forever be a problem. HEY, if we are lucky... maybe it will all be too much and he will just off himself as many do from this. 

Fact is, either it will work out, or it won't. 

There was a documentary I saw once on PBS... the US has the highest number of juveniles sentenced to life without parole in the world. We actually signed onto a treaty that prohibits it, and still do it anyway. Lock them up and throw away the key. The rest of the world thinks that's barbaric when kids are involved. But hey, screw em right. That will serve notice to all the other 13 year olds to not murder people and they won't have to spend 70 years behind bars. Because 13 year olds have such a firm grasp on what 70 years is. These are kids. 

There are many cases where kids kill people driving, and them and the families find a way to heal. Those are the incredible stories. They go on to tell their story and try to make a difference. Who know if this kid will. 

As far as the idiots that raised him... now they should be punished. I'm sure there will be a civil suit... because they have so much money, and yes they should be relieved of it. But... that's the point...poor kids have horrible parents and they too have not had the teaching to know what is right... but hey,  just worthless thugs. There was some article that said if he was white and poor he would do prison, if he was rich and black, he would do prison, but if he was black and poor, he would be on death row. That isn't far off the mark. 

http://www.today.com/video/today/53836154#53836154

Did the defense attorney really just say the consequences are that he will not have his truck and his Xbox?????  and alcohol and drugs????

Wowwwwww, Mr. Defense Attorney, how did you convince a judge this was a good thing? I know nothing about the judge, but I wonder...

I agree...

This is hard for me to reconcile.  I believe the sentence seemed light on one hand.  4 people were killed.  But kids make mistakes.  This is probably the biggest "mistake" someone could make though.

I'm sure if I was the family, I would want the maximum sentence for some kind of "payback" but NOT in the family, I sort of agree with the ruling.

My personal sentence would have been something like a 20 year sentence with 2 years served until they are 18.  THEN probation and ONE TOE out of line, and in particular, ANY drinking offense, then they get the rest of the 20 years.  Directly to jail, don't pass go, don't collect 200 dollars.

The problem with DUI offenses is that someone could do the exact same thing and just run over a mailbox and no big deal.  But if 4 people were standing at the mailbox, then it all changes.  I guess you nail them for manslaughter, not really the drinking.

me 2

This is a creative type of statement that makes impressions, but it's far from true.

Honestly, you thought he MEANT to do it?  This was premeditated?  If you could have stopped him just before he pulled away and said "you are going to kill 4 people in minutes, is that what you want?" he would say "YES"?

Is it completely stupid, irresponsible, and ignorant decision to drive 3x over the limit?  Of course, but I saying he didn't intend to kill them is a true statement.

Many people do absolutely stupid things.  Play with guns, or electricity, or what have you (ever see 1000 ways to die?)  I'm sure none of them "meant" to kill themselves or others, but made some of the poorest judgment calls possible.

I'll see your 10 year sentence and raise you another probation.....

http://www.galesburg.com/article/20131205/NEWS/131209878