Stallworth to serve 30 days

[BigHairedAristocrat]

I understand why some people think Stallworth got off light, but you have to look at everything in perspective. Prisons everywhere are overcrowded to the point that people who deliberately commit serious offenses (car theives, bank robbers, even rapists and child molesters) get out of jail early to make room for more "dangerous" or more recent offenders. For that reason, people who pose a minimal threat to society are given house arrest - yes, stallworth is going to be in prison 30 days, but he'll be under house arrest for 2 years, and probation for 8 after that. he also wont be able to drive again for life, thereby eliminating the threat he could repeat his crime.

Which brings me to my other point - what should be the purpose of prison anyways? not only to protect society from the criminal, but also to rehabilitate the criminal. Based on everything i've read, Stallworth isnt a threat to anyone and he has displayed genuine remorse and repentance for his crime... what good is supposed to come from sending Stallworth to jail for two (or more) years? really, what would that accomplish? Stallworth immediately accepted responsibility, apologized, has compensated the family, and has said he wants to be a public voice against drunk driving - to help prevent further tragedies like this.

So for those of you unsatisfied by the resolution of this case, please tell me - what more do you want? and if you do want more, is it really "justice" you're after?

[DBUCHANON101]

Im sure the prisons are full of ppl who had accidents or were negligent and killed someone.. and im sure they are sorry also.

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Not unless: a) He lies on his application as there will likely be several questions concerning his status in other states and/or whether he has pled guilty to moving violations; and b) the particular State doesn't run a database check. At least that's how it would work for most reciprocal licenses - State's tend to honor the actions of other States in those cases.

It is my belief that, if you are suspended or revoked in some other State, you will be denied a Maryland license

Why would he lie on any application? It's not like he isn't well known, especially now. He may not get a MD license, but I am sure that there is some state out there that would be willing to give him a license.

In retrospect though, I doubt very seriously that they have revoked his driving privileges for life. It wasn't in the posted article and that would have been a huge oversight on the part of the press.

[53Fan]

In 5 years he can petition the court for restricted driving privileges according to his lawyer.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by Angry

Why would he lie on any application? It's not like he isn't well known, especially now. He may not get a MD license, but I am sure that there is some state out there that would be willing to give him a license.

In retrospect though, I doubt very seriously that they have revoked his driving privileges for life. It wasn't in the posted article and that would have been a huge oversight on the part of the press.

Here is the link:
Donte Stallworth of Cleveland Browns reaches financial agreement with family of victim Mario Reyes - ESPN

Stallworth must also undergo drug and alcohol testing, will have a lifetime driver's license suspension and must perform 1,000 hours of community service. Lyons said after five years, Stallworth could win approval for limited driving for reasons such as employment.

And I have had driver's licenses in Md, Colo, and La. In every state, and every application it asks if your license is revoked or suspended in any state. Like Joe said all the States uphold each others laws in cases like this.

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Here is the link:
Donte Stallworth of Cleveland Browns reaches financial agreement with family of victim Mario Reyes - ESPN


And I have had driver's licenses in Md, Colo, and La. In every state, and every application it asks if your license is revoked or suspended in any state. Like Joe said all the States uphold each others laws in cases like this.

It also said that he could get limited licensing privileges back after 5 years. A life sentence is only 20 years, so why would a life long DL suspension be any longer? I am not saying that it isn't. I think that he will get full privileges back sometime in his life.

[CRedskinsRule]

Also of interest:
http://www.1800duilaws.com/forms/doc...uresManual.pdf

45 states are co-signers of this compact.

Originally Posted by Article V

APPLICATIONS FOR NEW LICENSES—Upon application for a license to drive, the licensing
authority in a party state shall ascertain whether the applicant has ever held, or is the
holder of, a license to drive issued by any other party state. The licensing authority in the
state where application is made shall not issue a license to drive to the applicant if:
(1) The applicant has held such a license, but the same has been suspended by
reason, in whole or in part, of a violation and if such suspension period has not
terminated.

Wisconsin, Tennessee, Georgia, Massachusetts, and Michigan are all Non-compact states and don't share Drunk Driving (DUI and DWI) conviction information.

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Also of interest:
http://www.1800duilaws.com/forms/doc...uresManual.pdf

45 states are co-signers of this compact.

So all he has to do is get licensed in one of the 5 states that is not a compact co-signer. Thats not very hard. All he has to do is sign with Tennessee, Atlanta, Green Bay, New England, or Detroit. Problem solved.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by Angry

It also said that he could get limited licensing privileges back after 5 years. A life sentence is only 20 years, so why would a life long DL suspension be any longer? I am not saying that it isn't. I think that he will get full privileges back sometime in his life.

Because it is a loss of a privilege not confinement in jail, which the state has the right to do. I am pretty sure there are other post conviction restrictions that can be for life as well, if the restriction relates to the type of crime committed and is considered to be for the good of the public at large.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by Angry

So all he has to do is get licensed in one of the 5 states that is not a compact co-signer. Thats not very hard. All he has to do is sign with Tennessee, Atlanta, Green Bay, New England, or Detroit. Problem solved.

LOL yup you are right! I guess money does solve everything!

[JoeRedskin]

Even though they are not members of the compact, the non-signatory states likely have some questions regarding out of state suspensions.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by DBUCHANON101

Im sure the prisons are full of ppl who had accidents or were negligent and killed someone.. and im sure they are sorry also.

I highly doubt that. I'm not saying the justice system is consistent, because its obvioulsy not. But i think there are far fewer people guilty of this type of crime with long prison sentences that you want to beleive. I also think theres a difference between someone saying theyre sorry and someone who demonstrates true repentance by seeking to atone for their wrong in every way possible.

I'm not trying to deny the magnitute of what happened here - a man lost his life - but when i look at the mitigating circumstances in this case, and compare it to the type of scum that needs to be in a prison, i dont think theres a gross miscarriage of justice going on here. remember, justice isnt just about punishment. it involves mercy too.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by Redskin Jim

All I have to say about the sentence is this: Stallworth is very lucky... It is a testament to wealth and privilege that he walked away with so light a sentence. A friend of mine had an accident when we were 22 and killed the passenger in his car. He was over the legal alcohol limit. He is a college grad, hard worker, well spoken fellow with no prior record then or since... He went to PRISON for 2 years and served 2 years probation! Just to add to the story He is black and I am white. We both met at our local bar after work today and saw the breaking news on espn.. He shared his story and we shook our heads in disbelief... We both agreed that Stallworth didn't intentionally kill the person, and I am sure he regets the decision to drive. That being said, I am saddened that my friend, was judged such, and Stallworth a to different standard.

Different situation altogether.

[SmootSmack]

Brendan Haywood can't believe Stallworth only got 30 days either

While I was watching Sports Center with some of the guys, we were all shocked to see the story about NFL player Donte’ Stallworth pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter and being sentenced to 30-days in jail and 1000 hours of community service. For me, this really hits home because my mother and I were hit by a drunk driver earlier this year. So let me get this straight, Michael Vick gets two years in jail for killing dogs and Stallworth gets only 30 days for killing someone? Now they say that justice is blind, but even Stevie Wonder can see that more than 30 days in jail was needed here. I think this was a terrible injustice. This is why so many people look at pro athletes with disgust and disdain. I was thoroughly disappointed.

BrendanHaywood's Blog - Yardbarker

[Trample the Elderly]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

I highly doubt that. I'm not saying the justice system is consistent, because its obvioulsy not. But i think there are far fewer people guilty of this type of crime with long prison sentences that you want to beleive. I also think theres a difference between someone saying theyre sorry and someone who demonstrates true repentance by seeking to atone for their wrong in every way possible.

I'm not trying to deny the magnitute of what happened here - a man lost his life - but when i look at the mitigating circumstances in this case, and compare it to the type of scum that needs to be in a prison, i dont think theres a gross miscarriage of justice going on here. remember, justice isnt just about punishment. it involves mercy too.

No my friend, justice is blind.