Ted Stevens says he hasn't been convicted yet.

[techs]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081031/ap_on_go_co/stevens

Stevens says he hasn't yet been convicted

FAIRBANKS, Alaska ? Sen. Ted Stevens says he is not a convicted felon, at least until the appeal process is over.

"I've not been convicted yet," the Alaska Republican insisted Thursday in a meeting with the editorial board of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. "There's not a black mark by my name yet, until the appeal is over and I am finally convicted, if that happens. If that happens, of course I'll do what's right for Alaska and for the Senate ... I don't anticipate it happening, and until it happens I do not have a black mark."

A federal court jury on Monday convicted Stevens on seven counts of lying on Senate disclosure forms to conceal more than $250,000 in gifts and renovations to his home from VECO Corp. founder Bill Allen.



Is he right? Have I been wrong all these years when I mistakenly assumed when those twelve jurors say 'guilty' you're still not convicted?

 

[Engineer]

Bullshit. He's convicted "until" it's overturned (if it ever is). If that's the case, then all of those in prison on death row while on appeal haven't been convicted yet (because of the appeals process).

 

[Moonbeam]

So typical of the criminal mind.

 

[Mursilis]

He's "kinda, sorta" right - as long as he has an opportunity to appeal, the possibility exists that his conviction can be overturned, so it's not a "final" conviction, which could take quite a long time. But for all practical purposes, yes, he's convicted, at least until he becomes unconvicted. Regardless, he's still a corrupt piece of trash, and no court can change that.

 

[KGB]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
So typical of the criminal mind.

And one of the stages of Alzhiemers (short-term memory loss).

Yet another reason he should be put out to pasture... err prison.

 

[KB]

The conviction process is "a series of tubes"!

 

[chess9]

Techically, there is no conviction until the defendant is sentenced. That's true in most states, so I assume it's true in federal cases as well. I never practiced criminal law, but this is my recollection.

-Robert

 

[BoomerD]

It's more proof that that "certain river in Egypt" also flows through Alaska...

 

[dainthomas]

He's probably thinking of the pardon he'll get from Bush.

 

[ProfJohn]

He is right, as Chess said he is not considered convicted until he is sentenced.

 

[techs]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
He is right, as Chess said he is not considered convicted until he is sentenced.

However, he is wrong then in saying he's not convicted until his appeals are through, correct?

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
He is right, as Chess said he is not considered convicted until he is sentenced.

True Dat...Technically, he's been found guilty of felony charges by the jury...NOT legally convicted nor sentenced...YET.

I REALLY don't see him beating these charges in appeals court though.

 

[CptObvious]

I don't see what basis one could say Stevens hasn't been 'convicted' yet - his guilt has been adjudicated, and that's what a conviction is. The sentencing phase just decides the level of punishment he gets. Just because he has a right to appeal doesn't mean he isn't a convicted felon.

 

[ProfJohn]

Part of sentencing involved the judge validating the juries decision. It is not official until the judge says it is official.

As for what Stevens is saying about the appeal process, seems like BS to me.

 

[CptObvious]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Part of sentencing involved the judge validating the juries decision. It is not official until the judge says it is official.

Again, that's the sentencing phase, which is separate. The article even says:

A federal court jury on Monday convicted Stevens on seven counts of lying on Senate disclosure forms to conceal more than $250,000 in gifts and renovations to his home from VECO Corp. founder Bill Allen.

He is convicted. He just hasn't been sentenced, yet.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Part of sentencing involved the judge validating the juries decision. It is not official until the judge says it is official.

As for what Stevens is saying about the appeal process, seems like BS to me.

Apparently once he's found guilty by the jury, he is LEGALLY convicted of the crime, but, as PJ says, the judge CAN overturn that verdict.

http://www.onlinelawyersource....felony/conviction.html

"A felony conviction is the legal guilty verdict reached in a felony criminal case. A felony is considered a serious criminal act or omission which is more severe than a misdemeanor crime. Historically, a felony conviction resulted in a forfeiture of property, dismemberment or death. A state or federal felony conviction today can lead to jail time, probation, fines, restitution, community service, mandatory drug or other rehabilitative treatment, and forfeiture of various legal rights (including the right to vote, serve on a jury, hold government positions, bear arms, and serve in the Armed Forces.



If his conviction stands, I certainly hope the Senate holds him to the same legal restrictions that are placed on "Joe Six-Pack" if he's convicted of a felony...

 

[OrByte]

Originally posted by: Mursilis
He's "kinda, sorta" right - as long as he has an opportunity to appeal, the possibility exists that his conviction can be overturned, so it's not a "final" conviction, which could take quite a long time. But for all practical purposes, yes, he's convicted, at least until he becomes unconvicted. Regardless, he's still a corrupt piece of trash, and no court can change that.

That means he is convicted pending appeal.

and he is definitely kind of a jerk.

lets just call him a federal felon!

 

[Jaskalas]

Originally posted by: KGBMAN
And one of the stages of Alzhiemers (short-term memory loss).

Yet another reason he should be put out to pasture... err prison.

Advocating prison when all the man did was accept being given money. How very un-liberal of you.

Don't you think our jails are full enough, or should we throw you in as well?

 

[Atreus21]

What crime was he convicted of?

I wish similar attention would be paid to William Jefferson. Although, this guy in Alaska is acting like a douchebag.

 

[techs]

Breaking News:
Ted Stevens reacts to criticism he is guilty!
WARNING the language is NSFW after the 15 second mark:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qbRW5p-faI

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: Atreus21
What crime was he convicted of?

I wish similar attention would be paid to William Jefferson. Although, this guy in Alaska is acting like a douchebag.

While I think Jefferson is a douche bag, and is PROBABLY guilty...he hasn't actually been convicted of any crime...YET.

IF that should happen, toss his ass out of the Senate and into prison in the cell next to Stevens.

Political corruption should carry a mandatory death sentence.

Not only to they "steal monetarily", they also steal the American people's confidence in the system.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: techs
Is he right?

Have I been wrong all these years when I mistakenly assumed when those twelve jurors say 'guilty' you're still not convicted?

Come on, you know politicians and CEO's don't go to the bathroom like you and I.

They are special Gods, the rules do not apply to them.

 

[Svnla]

Look like Sen. Stevens used similar excuses/tactics of "cold hard cash" Rep. Jefferson of La. (Democrat), who got caught with hundred of thousands of cash in his refrig.