Governor Patrick’s threat of up to a year in prison and a $500 fine as a penalty for driving during the weekend snowstorm was absurd. It is another case of the state overreaching. Almost everyone would be deterred by a substantial but lesser threat, such as a $5,000 fine.
I had hoped that the unfortunate recent news about Aaron Swartz, a promising young man who committed suicide in the face of prosecution by the US attorney’s office, might help us to think about how to better match punishment to fit the crime.
Comments
Posh tush.
1st Inmate: I'm doing a year for assault and battery, what did you do man?
2nd Inmate: Got a year for driving on Patrick's snow packed roads.
1st Inmate: Whoa dude, that is hardcore.
C'mon, who the heck does Devil think he is anyhow? Making up penalties as he goes along? What is next, putting people in irons? But that is the history of MA, threaten and scare tactics. It is used everyday in this state. It has gotten so out of hand that the crazy residents of this state actually think it is a good idea.
So, how many people were arrested for violating the driving ban? How many people were stranded on the Long Island Expressway, where no driving ban was issued until it was far too late? Those penalties are available because they are written into the law that allows the governor to declare a state of emergency. Only paranoia explains how people were unable to hear the constant refrain of "We just want people to stay off the roads".
Yup, next thing yanno, Ol' Devil will have SWAT teams shoving fully automatic rifles with 30 round magazines in peoples faces during a snowstorm demanding they "STEP OUT OF THAT VEHICLE WITH YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR!" Just cause he thinks he can via a declaration of a state of emergency.
What "state of emergency"? It was SNOWING! Does that every year about this time.
I agree with you, Brett. I do think the governor went overboard with the threat of jail--although a stiffer fine is by necessity easier to absorb for rich folks... But if rich folks were to defy the ban and be stopped, they would likely be spared the indignity of jail just by virtue of their power and money... Still, I think jail was an excessive threat and a stiffer fine would have been a far better choice.
How many people went to jail?
Obviously we have a low tennat rate in our jails. All those posh cells going un used. Deval should declare a state of emergency and arrest and incarcerate those bikers that go through red lights. A 10 year sentance would scare them into obeying traffic laws. We need more fear in our society. I also think DUI should carry a minimum 20 years in jail.