We hear conservatives say we should cut spending all the time but rarely do they talk about the many ways our governments (local, state and federal) protect unnecessary industries which benefit a few greedy people who retain their place at the trough by making strategic campaign contributions. Yesterday's SC ruling clearly says to all the leeches sucking the blood out of our country that they have a right to pay to play.
I listened to this story yesterday on my way home from work and realized just how hopeless we are in this country if we allow this type of undermining of our justice system to let a few profit like vampires without any concern for the people who's lives are destroyed by this system.
I just can't pretend any longer that this nation is anything except a fascist state run by corporations for the profit of the few without regard for the Constitution, morality or any other system of right and wrong.

Being in Jail sucks especially for a crime you did not do. I know this from previous experience. Piss off the wrong cop and they'll lie to get you locked up. You can beat it but if you don't have bail money you are fucked. I've gotten smart. I prepaid a bail bondsmen a deposit that covers me on bail to a set amount. Even if you have never gotten in trouble I recommend everyone have something set aside incase you ever need to get sprung.

realized just how hopeless we are in this country if we allow this type of undermining of our justice system to let a few profit like vampires without any concern for the people who's lives are destroyed by this system.

Since he had a job with Co-Ed, why can't he make bail?

American justice.

Innocent until proven broke.

On the plus side, as long as these rules remain in place people like Dick Cheney who have invested in privitized, for-profit prisons will continue to make out like the bandits they are.

/Yes, snark.

Be Well.

The story on the radio went into much more detail about how judges set bail at amounts far in excess of what people can come up with specifically to force them to use bail bondsmen, who you would thing would then be held responsible if the person doesn't show up for trial. Wrong. In many places the bondsmen get to negotiate with the city or county and end up forfeiting only 5% of the amount of the bail which still allows them a 5% profit.
Bail bonding is a scam in cases where there is little or no flight risk, and the defendent is no threat to anyone. Part 2 of the report will be on NPR today you really ought to check it out, it was quite eye opening and disturbing.

Haven't you people seen Raising the Bar on TNT? That is what the show is about, hard luck cases and the public lawyers (some very idealistic) who try to defend them, and the jerk off judges, prosecutors and lying police officers.

Politicians in all 50 states of the Union have built their career on being the attorney general. I bet very few if any have built their careers being defense attorneys. People don't respect the Constitution, if a person is accused, the masses assume he is guilty and thet the defense lawyers is trying to get him off.

I want the right person going to jail so that then they receive harsh punishment, but what we have now is DA and police trying to close cases as rapidly as possible without regard for the truth and light sentences, and parole and repeat offenders. The system is upside down.

#4

Spammer!

Being in Jail sucks especially for a crime you did not do. I know this from previous experience. Piss off the wrong cop and they'll lie to get you locked up. You can beat it but if you don't have bail money you are fucked. I've gotten smart. I prepaid a bail bondsmen a deposit that covers me on bail to a set amount. Even if you have never gotten in trouble I recommend everyone have something set aside incase you ever need to get sprung.

#2 | Posted by jackass

You really keep a bail bondsman on retainer for the next time you get arrested? Why not just keep the cash in a savings account?

I think everyone should keep an emergency fund made up of available and liquid assets for whatever situations may arise. I just can't believe that prepaying a bondsman makes much sense for the vast majority of people out there. Might as well pre-pay the transmission shop, roofer, and HVAC guy too with that logic.

I have been locked up a few times. Sometimes I can't get a hold of somebody to pay the bail bondsmen his 10% fee. They may not have it or are unwilling to pay it for whatever reason. Once I had to wait 4 days while my buddy waited to get paid from his job so I could pay him back for paying the bondsmen. With prepaid bail I make one call and I'm out within 4-6 hours.

Somehow, I am sure DR's won't be surprised JA!

Bail is to ensure they will show up for court. IF they cannot afford to put up a guarentee that they will be there, then the system MUST keep them. Otherwise, no one would show up.

BAil is to make sure they will show up but it needs to be set in an amount the defendant can possibly raise. Years ago and still in some states judges set reasonable bail and defendents show up. The bail bonding industry as lobbied judges to raise bail, even for defendants who pose no flight risk, to amount most defendents can't possibly raise jsut to create a business for the bail bondsmen.
Then, to make matters worse, in the few cases where the defendents don't show up, the bondmen still doesn't lose his bond, instead he gets to negotiate it down to 5% in many places which is less than the defendent paid him to post bond, so the bondsmen makes a profit even if the defendent doesn't show up. It's just a crooked system designed to make a business for bondsmen and it forces hundreds of thousands to remain in jail even if they are innocent awaiting trial. They lose cars, jobs, families just because they can't get bail.
Studies also show that those defendents who do get bail are more able to attend rehab, work, etc. and thus make a good case for the court that they will be trustworthy enough to justify probation while those stuck in jail can't.

What happens to the bail money when the person shows up and is found to be innocent? It disappears OR ACTUALLY STAYS IN THE BAILBONDSMANS POCKET. The system is a scam the person who was innocent is out the amount of bail he had to pay to get out so he could defend himself! I don't even think it is tax deductible.

Another part of the scam is the DA and the attorneys drag the case out for months which increases the lawyer fees and angst on the part of the defendant waiting to get his or her name cleared.

Again... what happens to all the money spent to prove your innocence? Well, I can tell you from personal experience... you don't get get it back.

"What happens to the bail money when the person shows up and is found to be innocent? It disappears OR ACTUALLY STAYS IN THE BAILBONDSMANS POCKET. "

Bullshit. If there's a bailbondsman very little money ever changes hands. The defendant pays he fee to the bailbondsman, and makes sure he shows up in court. In many cases, if the defendant continues to show up for the various hearings, and there are financial concerns, the bail will be exonerated. Regardless, very, very few defendants are "found to be innocent." The vast, vast majority of cases end in a plea bargain. From the beginning the only real issues are whether there is sufficient probable cause in the first place, and what the final sentence will be in the end.

"Another part of the scam is the DA and the attorneys drag the case out for months "

More BS, mostly. Every state and the feds have statutory requirements for "speedy trial." In order for the attorneys to "drag the case out" the defendant has to specifically waive his right to that speedy trial. In other words, the defendant approves each and every extension. Most defendants are represented by public defenders, small fees sometimes apply. Most private attorneys work on a set fee basis, so the defendant knows from the get go how much it's going to cost him.

I've worked both sides of the aisle, prosecution and defense. I encourage everyone, especially Danni, to actually go to court and see the process. It's far different than Law and Order or Raising the Bar. As for Jackass, in the great words of Jim Carrey, "Stop breaking the law!"

"I encourage everyone, especially Danni, to actually go to court and see the process."

I have several times and it is exactly as I say and as the reporter for NPR found. Bail is set too high so that defendents are forced to pay a bondsmen or else sit in jail waiting for trial. Bondsmen don't actually bring those who don't show into court, the police do. The bondsmen make about 10% on every transaction with virtually zero risk. It's a scam. Most defendents should be released on their own recognizance because most are not flight risks and the crimes they are accused of are minor without any threat to anyone. Listen to the thing on NPR.

You get your bail money back, minus court costs and any fines. I paid $1000 bail in Reno in 95, pled guilty to a lesser charge, and got back $560.

"Regardless, very, very few defendants are "found to be innocent."

My own son was but we still forfeited the 10% of his bond to the bondsman. That was $500 and he posed zero flight risk.

You paid your own bail Kanrei, apparently you didn't need a bondsman who would have kept 10%.

Danni,
The $1000 was 10%.

#18, I realize that you have personal experience, but that simply isn't the way the system works 99% of the time. One doesn't "forfeit" money to a bondsman, they pay the bondsman that money in order to have the bondsman cover the bail liability. It's a fee. Your opinion as to your son's flight risk is of little import to the court. A $500 bond at 10% equals a $5000 bail. This was a bit more than a shoplifting charge, wasn't it?

A $500 bond at 10% equals a $5000 bail. This was a bit more than a shoplifting charge, wasn't it?

Depends on where. In Reno, I had a $10k bond for being caught with 2 grams of pot.

Danni, I don't know what jurisdiction you're in, but for shits and giggles you may ask someone what the "bail schedule" is, as most have pretty much set standard bails, to be adjusted for the given defendant given their history and flight risk/prior FTAs.

I think my bail was so high because I was a Floridian caught in Nevada going from Colorado to California and was only in Nevada because it was the most direct route to drive. I was a flight risk in the eyes of the court.

#22 - true, but goes to the "bail schedule" comment above. Drug crimes certainly seem to get unnecessary bails and sentences. I love to see DUIs go to jail for months, but simple pot crime sentences seem very silly.

A judge will more than likely O.R. you in petty cases if you're willing to wait 72 hours.

"A judge will more than likely O.R. you in petty cases if you're willing to wait 72 hours."

Depends on where you are, in many places the bailbonding lobbyists get the judges to insist on high bails. That's the whole problem.

"Danni, I don't know what jurisdiction you're in, but for shits and giggles you may ask someone what the "bail schedule" is, as most have pretty much set standard bails, to be adjusted for the given defendant given their history and flight risk/prior FTAs."

Just listen to the report on NPR before you decide you know it all Jim, you may be surprised.

"A $500 bond at 10% equals a $5000 bail. This was a bit more than a shoplifting charge, wasn't it?"

It was a posession of marijauna charge. Real danger to society there.

If you prepay a bail bondsman, there is a 100% chance you are a fucking loser.

If you prepay a bail bondsman, there is a 100% chance you are a fucking loser.

LOL! FF for truth!

BTW, on that charge everyone told him to take drug court, his three friends who were arrested with him all did, he refused and beat the whole thing because, as he said, it wasn't his pot and the kid who did own it threw it at him when the cops got there. He won but it was a big hassle. We also had to pay a lawyer but he was a really good guy and did the case for $1,000 which was pretty decent I thought.

Kanrei you were lucky you had the grand to post the bond. I sat in Jail for 90 days when I had a bond like that. My family wouldn't post for me because it was an aggravated assault charge and they thought I deserved to stay in.
Nanc I have never gotten ROR even for bullshit charges like DUI. I once got busted for a 5 dollar Joint and was given a 200 dollar bond.

Kanrei you were lucky you had the grand to post the bond.

I was on Dead tour and specifically gave my parents $1000 to hold in case of emergancy. I am lucky the bail wasn't higher or I would have sat in jail.

If you prepay a bail bondsman, there is a 100% chance you are a fucking loser.

#29 | Posted by joe at 2010-01-22 12:55 PM | Reply | Flag

Do you have clients on retainer? I see it the same way. I've thought about having a lawyer on retainer but I figure I can get one easy enough after I get sprung.

"bullshit charges like DUI"

Herein lies the issue with Jackass, and why he deserves such a name. Truly a jackass of the highest order. A real loser. Please stay in jail the next time, and there will obviously be a next time.

"Posted by jackass"

Sociopath:

Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."

Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.

Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.

Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.

Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.

Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.

Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.

Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.

Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.

Where to begin?

In most jurisdictions, for purposes of setting bail the Court must presume the person is guilty of the charge. The factors the court usually take into account include: seriousness of the offense, danger to community, risk of flight, community connections, employment/family, and prior record.

Bail bondsmen typically charge a 10% fee. Bail companies for the most part are Insurance companies. They use the same type actuarial table and risk assessment before isssuing a bond. Also, most (not all) require some form collateral.

Pre-trial detention of defendants is EXTREMELY expensive. It is something all jurisdictions are currently looking into reforming, given the budget crunch. The numbers of people released on their Own Recognizance or on Electronic Monitoring has sky rocketed over the past two years.

DAs and Judges generally don't like OR releases because keeping somebody locked up in jail is good pressure tactic to force them to plea guilty. Especially with relatively minor crimes. (Plea guilty, - go home today. Fight the case, and be in custody for possibly another month before the trial.)

Do you have clients on retainer? I see it the same way.

I don't. People who produce a steady stream of legal work aren't equivalent to people who anticipate that they could be thrown in jail at any moment.

#36 | Posted by Greatamerican at 2010-01-22 01:30 PM

Scary how accurate that was.

Joe getting locked up is around the corner for everybody. You could be at the wrong place at the wrong time and next thing you know you are sitting in the can.

"Pre-trial detention of defendants is EXTREMELY expensive. It is something all jurisdictions are currently looking into reforming, given the budget crunch. The numbers of people released on their Own Recognizance or on Electronic Monitoring has sky rocketed over the past two years."

Exactly my point. Most of these people don't need to be paying bondsmen if bail was set low enough or they were released on their own recognizance and as was brought up on the NPR report....when some flee it isn't the bondsmen who finally bring them in....it's the police so why do we give the bondsmen an opportunity to profit???
As was brought up in the report, years ago most courts set bail much lower, over the years bondsmen have lobbied to get judges to raise bail...specifically to create a need for their services.

Hey SpokaneJim, I assume you are actually from and practicing in spokane? Maybe you should fess up about the state of the jail system in your own home town. In Spokane, at large amount of the people in jail (possibly even the majority with the economy the way it is) are there for bullshit traffic crimes--specifically driving while suspended. Why you ask? Are there so many terrible drivers? Are there so many habitual career criminals? No. In Washington, if you get any sort of traffic violation (even a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt or forgetting to renew your tabs) and are not able to pay it within 60 days, your license is automatically suspended. If you get pulled over, they tow your car and you can potentially go to jail. If you can't make bail, your ass sits there until you can (if you are very damn lucky) get OR'd. If it's happened before, your ass is going to sit in jail for awhile, possibly up to 30 days. If you had any cash on you when you were arrested, it can be confiscated to pay for jail costs. Forget about your job or getting your car back. Some people manage to get work release once they are sentenced, but if you couldn't afford the ticket, you probably can't afford the exorbitant work release fees either. Essentially, the largest population of inmates in Spokane County are in debtors prison. Welcome back to the dark ages folks:)

#10 | Posted by jackass

Too freeking funny

QUIT GETTING ARRESTED EINSTEIN............

How is it you get "locked up a few times"?

A piece of advise; Quit breaking the law......

#41 | Posted by missesmerelda

Why are you driving on a suspended license? Take responibility for your actions. If you are not able to drive because you screwed up, take the bus.

Once again: Quit breaking the law.

The point is that they are there because of a general lack of cash flow, not a desire to commit crimes. Hell, the cops in Spokane won't even come out if someone robs your house. But they are all over pulling people over for having taillight out or not wearing a seatbelt. They know they are never going to take the time to catch the asshole who robbed you, but they sure as hell can make money off you if they write you a citation.

In any event, I know at least 10 people who are driving with suspended licenses because they have no choice. Public transportation here blows and try taking kids to daycare and then getting to work and then back. That could take as many as 6 different busses and add at least a couple of hour to the workday if you even live on a bus line.

In any event, I only drive about 3 miles a day to take my son to school because he is in kindergarden and there is no bus. I can't very well walk him and his sister up there, then home, then back, then home because for the 2 1/2 hours he goes to school we'd spend about an hour and a half walking because she's 4 and it would wear her out. Besides, it's fricking cold outside!!! My license is suspended for an $85 traffic ticket that I can't pay because I'm unemployed thanks to corporate greed--outsourcing. When I get a job, I will be taking the damn bus until I can get caught up enough to pay it. The point is, in this town, if you work all the way across town or at anything other than peak hours, you pretty much have no choice. It's not like a big metropolis where everything is close to transportation and if you live in a rural area, you are totally screwed.

It's not like I knocked over a liquor store or got a DUI or was dealing drugs or anything. But yeah, I know, I'm a really fucking dangerous criminal. But hey, you've never broken the law in your life have you...

Wow, Miss, where do I start? There are so many things wrong with your statements. I've practiced here and other places, and am not "from" Spokane. First the most obvious BS, the money in your pocket cannot be confiscated to pay for jail costs. That is simply stupid. A "taking" requires a court order, and I have never seen such. Too, most incarcerated defendants are not in jail for driving while suspended, another simply inane comment. While a very large number of people have such charges, very few spend any time in jail. Rant all you want, though, if one is a criminal committing criminal acts, they may suffer a bit. And, unlike what the jackass Jackass says, not everyone is on the verge of suddenly being taken to jail. Want to avoid jail? Want to avoid having to pay bail or bondsman fees? Then don't break the fucking law. Simple, and is accomplished by most of society.

Note of sympathy, however. I agree that there are far too many driving while suspendeds. If it were up to me, I'd prosecute very, very few of them. In reality, many are ignored. Habitual offenders and those suspended due to DUIs are taken seriously, though. Question, don't know if it applies to you, but why are there so many repeat offenders. While I was a speed deamon in my youth, I'm not now, and my wife has never even gotten pulled over. How is it that some people can have a dozen or more suspendeds? Why the fuck can't the drive in a manner that doesn't get them pulled over? Amazing, really. Fix your taillights, wear a seatbelt, and obey the traffic laws. That should get you the few miles needed.

Fix your taillights, wear a seatbelt, and obey the traffic laws. That should get you the few miles needed.

#45 | Posted by SpokaneJim

Lose your job and that 80 dollar traffic ticket gets pretty expensive. I once got locked up for a traffic offense. Luckily I had money on me to post bond immediately. In Texas though they would not let me bond myself out for some odd reason. They made me call somebody else to bond me out. I was in a town that I knew nobody and the phone only made local calls. So I had to wait until Monday from Friday and call the work 800 number. The office secretary bonded me out. I had 800 cash in my wallet. They took the cash and gave me a check for 800 bucks, The fucked up thing is that they took my license so I had no way of cashing the check. I ended up having to hitch hike across the country on tractor trailers to get home.

2,304,115 people were incarcerated in U.S. prisons and jails in 2008. The United States has the highest documented incarceration rate in the world.

It's BIG business.

#31 | Posted by danni

The reason your son was arrested is because he broke the law.
All you are playing is the semantic game.I'm sure he got plenty high off that bag but when it comes time to pay the piper he turns on his friends.
One for all and all for one in this case.I'm willing to bet it was such a small amount that if he plead he would have had some sort of fine and his record cleared.But no, you post a thread whining about bail without looking at the bigger picture.
Why did he break the law?

rwd

I've worked both sides of the aisle, prosecution and defense. I encourage everyone, especially Danni, to actually go to court and see the process. It's far different than Law and Order or Raising the Bar. As for Jackass, in the great words of Jim Carrey, "Stop breaking the law!"

If you've worked both sides, you know damn well most innocent people end up copping a plea. Breaking the law has little to do with it. (Except all the lawbreaking going on by the DA and the cops.)

If you've worked both sides, you know damn well most innocent people end up copping a plea.

If you're talking local court where its the cops word against yours then I agree with you.On the other hand I think our justice system works pretty good,except when you fly back at me about prisoners being released because of DNA absolving them of the crime.
That is a different story.

rwd

The average income of unionized guards in California's privatized prisons is $120,000, with overtime. Peanuts compared to the owners. They aren't giving up any prisoners any time soon. Meanwhile, that State is going broke.

The average income of unionized guards in California's privatized prisons is $120,000, with overtime. Peanuts compared to the owners.

???

If you're talking local court where its the cops word against yours then I agree with you.On the other hand I think our justice system works pretty good

Your two sentences seem inherently contradictory to me. You agree the cops/DA are corrupt at the local level, but somehow our justice system still works pretty good?

Perhaps I just have different expectations, and don't feel it's okay that innocent people should have to plea bargain their way out of crimes they didn't commit.

#51 | Posted by nutcase

Yeah privatization, eh?

most innocent people end up copping a plea

Complete bullshit. For one thing, there are very, very few "innocent" people. They did it, it's only a matter of determining the final charge and sentence. Don't let TV or Jackass fool you. Police have better things to do than arrest innocent people just for giggles. And the prosecutor's have hundreds of cases to deal with, they're hardly in a position to give a rat's ass about the average Joe. Danni's story may be a minor exception, but it's still the exception.

Don't let....Jackass fool you.

Jackass "believes" that silly shit he writes in roughly the same way Obama "loves" the United States.

It's a parody with an entertainment value directly proportional to the level of seriousness with which others take it.

Complete bullshit. For one thing, there are very, very few "innocent" people. They did it, it's only a matter of determining the final charge and sentence. Don't let TV or Jackass fool you. Police have better things to do than arrest innocent people just for giggles. And the prosecutor's have hundreds of cases to deal with, they're hardly in a position to give a rat's ass about the average Joe. Danni's story may be a minor exception, but it's still the exception.

I agree that in my experience cops have been very leniant towards me (I was got streaking, driving my yugo slightly tipsy, running around an abandoned house with some friends) and never had any trouble whatsoever.

But to say that most people accused of a crime are guilty is dangerous. Accusation does not equal conviction.

ITS THEIR OWN FAULT...Because if you want to be a successful "Criminal" you first have to join either the Republican or Democratic parties...or Haliburton or Blackwater!!!

Anti, you forgot all about being a teamster bigwig.

"Complete bullshit. For one thing, there are very, very few "innocent" people. They did it, it's only a matter of determining the final charge and sentence. Don't let TV or Jackass fool you. Police have better things to do than arrest innocent people just for giggles. And the prosecutor's have hundreds of cases to deal with, they're hardly in a position to give a rat's ass about the average Joe. Danni's story may be a minor exception, but it's still the exception.

#55 | Posted by SpokaneJim"

Absolute bullshit. Law and order is about the process not justice. And US society is about people following the rules, not the law, both formal and informal. Part of that is being perceived as a "good" citizen (paying lots of taxes and kissing authority ass) and part is following the law. I am well to do by most standards and generally appear that way in public. When I break the law by speeding, driving without a license (left at home), being drunk in public, etc, etc, I don't get bothered by the cops. When I do I throw a couple of sirs in and have zero problems, tickets are dropped or never written in the first place. People who don't have the luxury of an education and reasonable wealth are deemed failures and do not get any benefit of doubt from the cops. This is a problem. The system is not fair, it is not built to protect society, it is built to enforce conformity and to control the population.

And SkokaneJim what are you? Either a bad lawyer since by your own admission since you practiced "here and there" (good lawyers have a steady practice in one locale) or are you a full of shit poser? Perhaps both in this case?

support NPR or you won't understand jack

support NPR or you won't understand jack

#61 | Posted by mcduff

Why? Do they teach you to speak "Jack"?

"Police have better things to do than arrest innocent people just for giggles."

Actually we don't call them police any more, we refer to them as tax collectors. Since the bottom fell out of the housing market and with it the tax base the police are out writing as many tickets as possible to raise as much revenue as possible. On I-95 on Sat. mornings you can depend on seeing packs of highway patrol cars pulling over dozens at a time. People who might have been speeding a few miles an hour over the limit but certainly endangering no one. I guess it's one way for the state and county to pay the bills but seems like there ought to be a better way.

speeding a few miles an hour over the limit but certainly endangering no one. I guess it's one way for the state and county to pay the bills but seems like there ought to be a better way.

Try this,adapt yourself to situations where you may receive a speeding ticket for speeding, by not speeding.
Simple.
You pose as a crybaby who thinks you should only follow laws you agree with.
You do not really care about everyone else with your argument,only yourself.

rwd

More BS, mostly. Every state and the feds have statutory requirements for "speedy trial." In order for the attorneys to "drag the case out" the defendant has to specifically waive his right to that speedy trial. In other words, the defendant approves each and every extension

#15 | Posted by SpokaneJim

Really? I got arrested on a bogus charge and 10 months later there was still no trail. Even after I pissed the judge off enough to say, "Lets have a trail right now!" 30 days later, nothing. Nothing but constant badgering to take the plea bargin.

Ben on both sides you say? Then your in so deep you can't see the truth of what's happenning. Keep playingh the game, so we all lose.

First the most obvious BS, the money in your pocket cannot be confiscated to pay for jail costs.

#45 | Posted by SpokaneJim

Do you really have anything to do with the court systems? In Brevard County, FL, They take $20/day for jail costs. So you lose if your innocent. They impounded your car, to a private company, who charge exhorbant tow and storage rates, who will not release it without a picture ID, that the cop confiscated, so you if your innocent you lose. There is no more ROR, They now pressure you into "pretrial release". A form of probation where you give up some of your rights, so if your inn ocent you lose.

See a pattern here? Wait to you get to court.

most innocent people end up copping a plea.

welcome to Orange Fuckin County.

I was recklessly charged with 2 felonies and a misdemeanor once.

After a whole bunch of b.s. the D.A. dropped it to 4 misdemeanors. I asked my Attorney why? and he said it is so the D.A. has a winning record of prosecutions. Sooner or later, just to get out of the jam, I would plea to one of the four. I would get off light and he would get his conviction.

and I think to myself... what a wonderful world.

So you don't know shit. Justice is not pretty. It really is a game with an endless amount of suckers.
Don't even get me started on the DUI game, I have never had one, but basically your life is fucked for 18 months if you get one now unless you are a celeb or are wealthy, All the classes, fines, running around, probation. You are the state's little bitch. If I ever got a DUI, I would mortgage the house to try to get out of it.

A game where you lose.

For one thing, there are very, very few "innocent" people. They did it, it's only a matter of determining the final charge and sentence.

#55 | Posted by SpokaneJim

And there you have it. Spokane Jim who is Job well within the court system believes in the overall guilt of anyone the police haul in. Yep, that is the attitude I have been confronted with myself. It is no longer "innocent until proven guilty", It is "it's only a matter of determining the final charge and sentence."

#53 | Posted by snoofy

I was speaking mainly about traffic court and minor misdemeanor crimes where the only proof presented to the court is the police officers word against yours.
Even in those cases I believe you have the right to a trial but you must pay for it.
If the option in those cases was to have a trial or plea then virtually everyone would opt for a trial and the court docket would be decades long.
If that was the case then true justice would certantly be delayed for the more serious crimes.
You read to much into my statement about corrupt DA's and cops.I think in those cases when it is proven, then I believe the plaintiff's rights were violated and the DA and cop should face hefty fines and/or jail time.It should be the case even for my opening paragraph.

rwd

most innocent people end up copping a plea.

Someone who's guilty and rich has a greater chance of getting off scot free in the American Justice system than someone who is innocent and broke due to the over-worked public defenders basically demanding that innocent folks cop pleas.

Not cool.

/btw, the "scot" in "scot free" has nothing to do with SCottish folks.
//Is based on the old english word "Sceot"
///A type of medieval tax that some folks were able to avoid paying.

Be Well.

"Try this,adapt yourself to situations where you may receive a speeding ticket for speeding, by not speeding.
Simple.
You pose as a crybaby who thinks you should only follow laws you agree with.
You do not really care about everyone else with your argument,only yourself.

rwd

#64 | Posted by rightwingdon "

Dipshit, speeding laws are written in such a way that they are not absolute to allow latitude to give tickets for driving too fast in unsafe conditions such as snow or fog but below the posted speed limit. A standard way of getting out of speeding tickets is to demonstrate that you were driving at a safe speed according to the conditions of the road, car and environment.

Laws are not absolute, fucktard. They were never meant to be. Only weak jesus junkies like yourself require absolutes.

One last time for all you losers.

"QUIT BREAKING THE LAW"

I am still laughing at the loser with the retainer with the bail bondsman.

That just screams LOSER

#71 Dipshit, speeding laws are written in such a way that they are not absolute to allow latitude to give tickets for driving too fast in unsafe conditions such as snow or fog but below the posted speed limit.

That would be reckless driving now wouldn't it.
Most cops aren't as dumb as you.
Glad to fix that for you.

rwd

The ONLY time this would make sense to me would be when I was delivering pizzas in Tampa. The Temple Terrance cops LOVED to pull over pizza drivers and would arrest them for reckless driving if they went 45 in a 30. We never put signs on our cars to avoid it, but Dominoes and Pizza Hut had lots of problems in those areas.

Bail was a great idea when tracking down people was more difficult, finding out about current warrants took days, and people lived often with extended family who post the bail and force them to go to court. But in today's world, it is often an outdated concept. If the guy is picked up for anything, even a routine traffic stop, they determine in seconds all outstanding warrants. Hiding is simply much harder now. And only the most serious crimes, often when bail wouldn't be set anyway, are the perps likely to run. So simply set the punishment higher for skipping court dates and move on. Problem solved.

#23 | Posted by SpokaneJim

Don't bother explaining it to her. She is much to infatuated with being the victim.

The part is that many of these defendants committed multiple offenses, while out on charges or on probation. Judges tend to be lenient on 1st time offenders. Do it over and over again and it ties societies hands. WTF else can we do?

Sadly many criminals are either drug addicts or pathological liars, and can't help themselves. Real harm is done to their families, who are the ones who deserve our sympathy...

"The part is that many of these defendants committed multiple offenses, while out on charges or on probation. Judges tend to be lenient on 1st time offenders. Do it over and over again and it ties societies hands. WTF else can we do?"

Ah Dave people are not tried on their past history. The past record only applies to sentencing.

You are correct however that once you get on he "list" you become a target for cops. Thy routinely run plates and if thy have a prior more likely than not they fuck with the person.

I knew someone who had "assaulted" a cop when they were busting down a neighbors door in the middle of the night. the cop was plains clothes and he thought he was breaking in. He was eventually released without charge but spent weeks going to court to make sure the trace of the arrest was removed from his record. He knew if the arrest for "assaulting" came up the every time a cop ran his name or car for anything he would be truly fucked over and over.

#79 | Posted by furio

Cases like your friend's are so few and far between.

QUIt COMMITING CRIMES

If you can't pay the dime
don't do the fukkin' crime.

Pretty simple strategy here.

"Try this,adapt yourself to situations where you may receive a speeding ticket for speeding, by not speeding."

Of course the same tool posting that never speeds himself. The point is we are paying these people to make us safer not to harrass us. There is a big difference though it may be too complex for a moron like you.

#82 | Posted by danni

I break the speed limit all the time.I've learned to read the traffic and know where the speed traps are.Its worked out pretty good for me.In the event I get nailed for speeding I realize I've broken the law pay my fine and get over it.
You on the other hand whine and bitch like a little pussy and play the victim card,all.the.time.

rwd

There was a story in the NY Daily News yesterday about a couple of guys who were arrested in Manhatten for possession of "crack" that was actually crumbled up coconut candy. The cops refused to take a taste of the substance of field test it. One guy was an ex-con so his bail was set at $5K and he ended up spending something like 5 days in jail. They are suing the city the $2 million.

a couple of guys who were arrested in Manhatten for possession of "crack" that was actually crumbled up coconut candy. The cops refused to take a taste of the substance of field test it. One guy was an ex-con so his bail was set at $5K and he ended up spending something like 5 days in jail.

They did the crime, they do the time. It's as simple as that.

Isn't that right, Chickenrancher and UpL8?

You on the other hand whine and bitch like a little pussy and play the victim card,all.the.time.

rwd

#83 | Posted by rightwingdon at 2010-01-24 08:57 AM | Reply | Flag: Flag: (Choose)
FunnyNewsworthyOffensiveAbusiv
e

And you called me rude for challenging you on your NRA "facts" mystery?????

Nice

There was a story in the NY Daily News yesterday about a couple of guys who were arrested in Manhatten for possession of "crack" that was actually crumbled up coconut candy. The cops refused to take a taste of the substance of field test it. One guy was an ex-con so his bail was set at $5K and he ended up spending something like 5 days in jail. They are suing the city the $2 million.

Perhaps he should have got a good lawyer that could have had the "crack" tested. No sympathy for idiots