Originally Posted by dedwards0323
Here's a neat story that happened to my oldesst son back in NC.
He received a speeding ticket for doing 57 in a 35 zone. Serious issue, after all 22 over is SPEEDING, BIGTIME! Anyway, the day of his court appearance, he pleaded "guilty with an explanation" when called. He was told to remain until the complete case load was gone thru, after which he would be called to the podium for his explanation. When he was called, as he approached the podium, the Assist DA asked if he had an attorney. So my son responded by asking the ADA if he was implying that he could get his sentence reduced by paying one of the shysters, lined up along the front of the courtroom, $300-$400 and have them say exactly that same thing that he would....
Good for the kid.
My brother (the one in Michigan with a B.A. degree from WMU who lives on skid row in Kalamazoo because of all his drug and DUI arrests) explained it all to me. This was around 1990 or 1993.
"Got another DUI, gotta get Mom to loan me $2,000".
I asked why.
"Lawyer says that for $300 he will represent me. I will get 30 days in jail and a big fine, they will take my license. For $1000 he will represent me and I will get a fine and 30 days but keep my license. For $2000, it will all be over in ten minutes if I agree to go to DUI classes."
I may not have the dollar amounts and punishments exactly right after so many years, but you get the point.
My brother has had two more DUI's since then. The last one I KNOW about, resulted in a bad accident and a little girl spent a week in the hospital (she was in the other car).
Some legal system we have here. Maybe things are different in Kalamazoo these days?
Don't hate me 'cause of who my brother is. (And mom DID give him $1000).
