Friday, November 30, 2007

Judge goes free, attorney is charged for same offence

Two people both make a mistake, they have a handgun in their possession when they attempt to use airline services. Both guns are found, both men are detained, one gets charged, one doesn't.

The Judge was not charged because "There is insufficient proof to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Ms. James knowingly possessed the handgun," (Konrad Siller, first assistant prosecutor in Washtenaw County).
Attorney Keith Brais, who claims he also took the gun with him unknowingly, WILL be charged however.

If you've been reading my recent posts, you probably know that I think both men should be charged. If you know me better, you'll also know I'd expect them to be let off with a slap on the wrist, forced to pay legal proceedings, a small fine, and take court mandated firearm safety classes at most.

What bothers me, is the difference between how these two men were threated, based on state law, maybe even their gender and by their profession. They were both equally careless, why should they not face equal (minimal) penalty for their trespasses?

No comments: