Not all felons are the same
My friend Bubba from Tennessee moved to GA, tried to get a CC. Turned down because he had a felony in TN 24 years ago- and by the way, why haven't you regestered as a sex offender? Oh slime.
When he was 17 and girlfriend was 15 they had consentual sex- who hasn't? Her parents found out, waited until he was 18 and pressed charges for statutory rape, a felony in TN. He served 90 days, got out eventaully married for 22 years, two kids, stable job, not so much as a speeding ticket, oldest son is a Marine in Iraq- Semper Fi.
I advised him to go back to TN and hire a lawyer. Lawyer got girl to appear in court and explain to judge the circumstances. Girls parents came too, still have a hard on for him after all these years.
Judge politely told parents they were vindictive, flaming dudes, reduced charge to misdimeanor.(sp) Case closed, Bubba now has CC in GA.
To equate a violent felon with a teenage boy with his brains in his woodie is insane. There SHOULD be degrees of felonies. A lot of lives are ruined by circumstance- riding in a reiend's car with crack you are unaware of and you're not a user, bang, you're a felon.
How about some common sense. You hardliners sound like the Pelosi's and Clintons- no room for reason.
Think about it guys. This is my humble opinion and not meant to offend anyone, but like Bubba, but for the grace of God, go I.
When he was 17 and girlfriend was 15 they had consentual sex- who hasn't? Her parents found out, waited until he was 18 and pressed charges for statutory rape, a felony in TN. He served 90 days, got out eventaully married for 22 years, two kids, stable job, not so much as a speeding ticket, oldest son is a Marine in Iraq- Semper Fi.
I advised him to go back to TN and hire a lawyer. Lawyer got girl to appear in court and explain to judge the circumstances. Girls parents came too, still have a hard on for him after all these years.
Judge politely told parents they were vindictive, flaming dudes, reduced charge to misdimeanor.(sp) Case closed, Bubba now has CC in GA.
To equate a violent felon with a teenage boy with his brains in his woodie is insane. There SHOULD be degrees of felonies. A lot of lives are ruined by circumstance- riding in a reiend's car with crack you are unaware of and you're not a user, bang, you're a felon.
How about some common sense. You hardliners sound like the Pelosi's and Clintons- no room for reason.
Think about it guys. This is my humble opinion and not meant to offend anyone, but like Bubba, but for the grace of God, go I.
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Sounds good Bubba. Don 0 -
I believe anyone who has paid their debt to society (ie: prison sentence, etc), should have all of their rights restored. 0 -
I agree too that there should be different "levels" of felonies. As posted in a different thread, something along the lines of violent and non-violent. Like you say, you can be ruined by a stroke of bad luck. Should that be held against you for life? No, I don't think so. As far as a "violent", maybe the individual could go through a time period of some sort, along with close observation, so to speak. But, who's to come up with a set of guidelines for these individuals to go through? There is such a wide range of circumstances to consider. Just my two-cents worth. 0 -
Yes, I agree, guilt by association is total BS. Lots of lives ruined because someone was in the wrong place at the wrong time and did not know they were with someone that had drugs or were about to committ a crime.
Teen sex could put every male in this forum in jail![:(] Our legal system is out of control!
Can't keep the bad guys in prison but will lock up the inocents with no problem.0 -
I have a mixed opinion about that.
Our society is way too permissive as it stands.
On the other hand, I think if the felon is willing to return to the jurisdiction of the convicting court, and present evidence of twenty to twenty-five years of perfect behavior, his application for reduction of the category of the crime should be seriously considered by the judge.
I also think that our method of treating convicted felons is appropriate. When the crime is committed, the individual knows he is doing something wrong, and makes a conscious decision to take the risk of discovery. In your example of the ride along felon, I don't believe he would be convicted, if those were the facts.
I also find it hard to believe that you,,,ooops....Bubba described his conviction accurately.
Doug0 -
I agree,.......I have a friend here that I have known he and his family for 15 years. He told me one time years ago that he had a felony record,.......not many others know of this.
He was charged with possession of pot with intent to sell.
He was 22 when it happened, and is 54 now. The guy never did anything else, and for the time that I have known him, I have to say he might be a better person than me! He doesn't drink even, and is involved in the church extensively.
After I got my CCW, he made the comment that he wished he could get his, so I did the research for him, and told him to try to get his record expunged. It took filling out some forms from FDLE, and a few weeks, and it was done. He then applied for his CCW, and got it 6 weeks later.
There are differences in the word "felon". I am sure I would be a "felon", if I would have been caught for some of the stupid things I did when I was younger.0 -
I have seen way to much and heard to much to believe these "I was only in the wrong place..."
There is a avenue to get a record cleared, so what's all the fuss about?0 -
I am completely in accord with that, Mark. I am continually surprised that I haven't been imprisoned since I was about 13.
At the same time, just because I didn't get caught, doesn't mean that the the ones that DID get caught shouldn't have to live under that cloud for a long time.
When I did the things I did, I accepted the risks with my eyes wide open.
Doug0 -
quote:
Not all felons are the same
True. Some are really, really bad...0 -
quote:Originally posted by Alpine
so what's all the fuss about?
Last time I was at the beach, it was thongs. Don0 -
Really shouldn't be any. Most of the ones that had simple state "drug" felonies, a long time ago, are very simple to take care of. But like my friend, he thought that it took a lawyer, and thousands of dollars to do it! Wrong.
Edit: I was replying to Alpine saying what is all the fuss about BTW!0 -
quote:At the same time, just because I didn't get caught, doesn't mean that the the ones that DID get caught shouldn't have to live under that cloud for a long time.
And I would think 32 years would be acceptable, without any other issues, like in his case, for possession of too much "weed".
Violent felons, and especially ones that have used a gun in a crime,..........I feel TOTALLY different about.
On that one I don't agree with ECC's comment that they served their time, and all rights should be restored, no questions asked.0 -
...Boy, I don't know about felons having/getting the same rights as I have. It is NOT that hard to stay on the right side of the law.
...I have had friends that at some point in their life had screwed up, not all had made the mistake when they were young either. Were they "now" decent people who had comitted no more transgressions, yes, or I would never have gotten to know them.
...Are all the law's "fair", hell no, but there is NOTHING in this world "fair", get over it.
...I think that at the least, if you screw up SO bad as to have a feolny CONVICTION slapped on your butt, you should NOT have the same rights as one who hasn't...[;)]
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there are most certainly levels of felonies, but even the lowest level of a felony is still a felony, and loosing ones rights is part of the game, if you do not want to loose your rights, don't commit a felony on any level, if you can have it expunged like above by all means do so'serving jail time is not the complete part of a sentence, loosing your rights is also part of the sentence
i know a few guys that screwed up years ago, they have lost their rights, and regret it, it is a constant reminder of why they shouldn't do it again0 -
quote:Originally posted by ECC
I believe anyone who has paid their debt to society (ie: prison sentence, etc), should have all of their rights restored.
The piece of poop that left my mother for dead may have paid his debt to you.But NOT me.[}:)]I wont go into much detail on a public forum as you never know what the future may bring.0 -
I did not type poop either[}:)] 0 -
All too often "common sense" and "the American justice system" cannot be used in the same sentence. 0 -
I have found that we can now use the word "bitch" to substitute for any profanity or scatological reference we wish.
As long as we don't call Hilary one.
Cool, huh ??
Doug0 -
OK, After a brief pause I want to apoligize to ECC for lashing out.I should have my emotions more in check,And leave my dirty laundry at the door.No hard feelings sir. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by ECC
I believe anyone who has paid their debt to society (ie: prison sentence, etc), should have all of their rights restored.
I have to tell you ECC, that statement you made, makes me give you my respect. I belive identically to this subject. Some here will admit they too would be in this situation if caught. They would also be the ones saying how "unjust" their treatment would be too. We are in a "me" driven society, in other words, screw everyone else "me" is more important.
sad to say ....0 -
Bubba's case was an easy call for the judge, because what you describe isn't a felony in Tennessee.
http://www.actwin.com/eatonohio/gay/consent.htm
39-13-506. Statutory rape. (a) Statutory rape is sexual penetration of a victim by the defendant or of the defendant by the victim when the victim is at least thirteen (13) but less than eighteen (18) years of age and the defendant is at least four (4) years older than the victim. (b) If the person accused of statutory rape is under eighteen (18) years of age, such a defendant shall be tried as a juvenile and shall not be transferred for trial as an adult. (c) Statutory rape is a Class E felony.
There are different classes of misdemeanors and felonies. All classes of felonies involve the loss of some rights. Some misdemeanors in some places also involve the loss of some privileges (driving, CCW, etc.).
There are ways to have rights restored after a felony conviction.
Now, if we are looking for opinions, I've got a gang of em.
In my opinion, our legal system (we don't have a justice system) stinks to high heaven from top to bottom. At the same time, we have the best legal system the world has ever seen.
In my opinion, if a person has been convicted of murder and the conviction stands up under appeal, that person should be taken out. Period.
In my opinion, if a person has been convicted of a felony and is judged to be safe to live among us, he should have all the rights of a citizen. If he is judged not capable of having and exercising full rights of citizenship, he shouldn't be free to roam among us.0 -
I don't get it.
He was 17 at the time of the act. He was a minor.
I figure this went to court, so they should have discovered that he was also underage.
What is all the BS, other than the lawyers and her parents?0 -
quote:Originally posted by shooter4
I don't get it.
He was 17 at the time of the act. He was a minor.
I figure this went to court, so they should have discovered that he was also underage.
What is all the BS, other than the lawyers and her parents?
re read it
quote:Her parents found out, waited until he was 18 and pressed charges for statutory rape
he was still doing it when he turned 180 -
It still doesn't qualify as statutory rape in Tennessee. Bubba will always be less than four years older than the girl. 0 -
nope. price paid to society isnt the end. its just part of the penelty.
a convict just becomes an ex-con free to rejoin the world.
and when it comes to the pecking order, all those that ARENT CONVICTS in society should and should remain getting head of the line and preferential treatment over EX-CON'S.
theres:
the high life,
life,
and low life.
should have thought about it a liitle longer and harder before doing the deed.
such is life.
get in line. [B)]0 -
Do you expect to change anyone's opinion, because you have shared your Bubba's story with us? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by bobski
nope. price paid to society isnt the end. its just part of the penelty.
a convict just becomes an ex-con free to rejoin the world.
and when it comes to the pecking order, all those that ARENT CONVICTS in society should and should remain getting head of the line and preferential treatment over EX-CON'S.
theres:
the high life,
life,
and low life.
should have thought about it a liitle longer and harder before doing the deed.
such is life.
get in line. [B)]
Let's hope God does not hold us to the same accountability...
JamesRK...I could not agree more, but if we as a society deem the penalty for certain offensives to be jail time, then the price should be paid when they leave jail...we might just have a whole lot less repeat offenders if they had their rights restored when they finished paying the price for their crimes...Just my .020 -
Whomp, don't you know that it's the Republicans/Neocons who have made it so that the courts DON'T have any discretion? Mandatory Minimums, Registration for "sex offenders", "Tough on Crime", "Activist Judges" BS? You can't pin these on the Democrats... 0 -
To all of you who have no idea what really goes on in Court, I suggest you head to your local courthouse and watch for a few hours.
This is especially true in large jusidictions.
Very, very few felons ever see a day in jail for their crimes. This includes sex offenders, drug dealers and the rest. All this crap about being tough on crime is watered down by liberal leaning judges that think the defendants are just misunderstood or have a good excuse for their crimes.
They put most of them on probation and then do not even enforce their own orders when the offender violates it.0 -
Thanks for all the imput. As always I learn a lot from these forums.
I am interested in the post of Tennessee law that states that Bubba's offense wasn't a felony.
Bubba is a co worker who lived with me for a time until he could find a house in Savannah. He wanted a concealed carry so I took him to my friend, Probate Judge Don Wilkes in Emanuel County, GA. When Don heard about the statutory rape charge he called the sheriff dept and had Bubba's criminal history run. It came back Felony, non forceable rape. Because it said felony he was not eligible for a GA concealed carry. All it took was hiring his old TN family lawyer and getting the girl (woman) to go before the judge. Her parents still had a hard on for Bubba and showed up, uninvited.
I understand the posts re if you do the crime you do the time. Bubba served 90 days.
Don't know and can't speak for everyone but there are an awful lot of statutory rape offenders out there because a young woody doesn't have any reasoning power.
Thanks again,
Whompuss0
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