Very weird sentince by a judge in Ohio

[Czar]

http://europe.cnn.com/2000/LAW/10/24/oddsandends.ap/index.html


Jamie L. Vannostran, 22, got off light for obstruction of justice after writing -- 100 times -- "I will not lie to the police."

 

[BoberFett]

And people wonder why crime rates are high in the US.

<< You're going to sit in that corner until you apologize for murdering that man! >>

 

[Frenchie]

Note that this wasnt the sentence that thte judge wanted, this is the sentence requested by the DA....

 

[BoberFett]

Sentencing isn't up to the DA, that's up to the judge.

And with a couple of minutes of research I've found Ohio statute 2921.31 in which it states that

<< (A) No person, without privilege to do so and with purpose to prevent, obstruct, or delay the performance by a public official of any authorized act within the public official's official capacity, shall do any act that hampers or impedes a public official in the performance of the public official's lawful duties.

(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of obstructing official business. Except as otherwise provided in this division, obstructing official business is a misdemeanor of the second degree. If a violation of this section creates a risk of physical harm to any person, obstructing official business is a felony of the fifth degree. >>



Depending on what the boyfriend had done, she was at least guilty of a 2nd degree misdemeanor or if the boyfriend was a violent offender her action could be construed as a felony. Whatever the case, harboring a criminal seems like it should be punished more severely than having to write something 100 times.

 

[Frenchie]

Municipal Court Judge Lynne Callahan sentenced Vannostran to 15 hours of community service, reduced by recommendation of prosecutor Brian Zwaig who assigned the lines.

The Judge sentenced the D to community service, and then by request of the DA reduced the sentence. Of course sentencing is up to the judge, but the DA's (or the Probation Department or whoever did the PSI) recommendation is often given a significant amount of weight.

It is smaller crimes such as this one and perjury that people often walk away from with just a slap on the wrist. Going from an M2 to just writing a few sentences is ridiculous!

 

[BoberFett]

Heh, I forgot you were an attorney Frenchie. Oh well, nobody's perfect.