Judge This

Know what I'm sayin? Exactly when did the Founding Fathers decide that only shrinks could determine that someone was a danger to society? What's so bad about using a little common sense?

NEW YORK (AP) -- A judge on Tuesday ordered the release of 12 sex criminals she said were illegally detained when they were sent to a psychiatric hospital on Gov. George Pataki's orders after their prison sentences ended.

State Supreme Court Justice Jacqueline Silbermann directed the release of the 12 - whose crimes include the rape and sodomy of boys and girls - pending examinations of each prisoner by two court-appointed psychiatrists.

She said the men had to be examined within five days of her appointing the physicians. She said unless the psychiatrists find the ex-convicts to be mentally ill or to be dangers to themselves or to society they will have to be released immediately.

Pataki issued a statement saying he was "deeply troubled" by the judge's decision and would order an appeal. He said the ex-convicts "represent a real danger to our children and our communities."

Comments

[Bigfish]

There was some talk that Pataki may have violated the law and only ordered them commited due to his political aspirations. This may be a constitutional issue.

It's a scary thought that 97% of people currently in prison will eventually be released. Many are due to be released soon due to overcrowding and when the mandatory sentencing guidlines were implemented.

I suppose we could just start yet another round of prison construction and just keep everyone locked up although 60% of people imprisoned are there because of non-violent crimes. As it stands, the US already has a higher % of citizens incarcarated than any other country.

What happened to all of the displaced sex offenders from Katrina? Are they being tracked?

Bigfish

[absynth_minded]

"What happened to all of the displaced sex offenders from Katrina? Are they being tracked?"

Last I heard they were still busy raping and killing in the places they relocated to...

It's sickening when the arrest, conviction, or release of sexual predators becomes yet another political "game." If ever there was a time and place for doing the right thing regardless of motives and agendas, this would be it.

Well, there will be plenty of time to reflect on the mistakes made when another family is burying their baby..

[kelly]

I hate this kind of story..

the 'moral' thing to do is keep them locked up

the 'legal' thing is to let them go

they have served their prison sentence in accordance with NY law...if that law is too leniant, THEN CHANGE THAT LAW! but to decide, after the fact, that someone should have a longer punishment sentence b/c you don't like their crime?? that's insane!

it's a slippery slope... one I don't want to go down....b/c where does it end?

so it' sex offenders now...what's next? Murderers? sure.. no problem with them either right? what about drunk drivers or crack-heads? what about drug dealers? all drug dealers? even pot dealers?what about Enron execs? ppl who leak classified informantion?

where does it end...I mean you know if we do it once, the next time will be even easier...

remember the "well they can search my stuff when I try to get on the subway, b/c they already search my stuff at the airport" arguement...

I can see it now "well Bob we put perverts in nut-houses after they've served their time..so why shouldn't we do it to crack-heads, b/c someone would have to be off their melon to smoke crack for a living"

yes I'm all for a new law that makes it a mandatory life sentence in Gen Pop of the worse prison we have, for these types of crimes....But to lock them up after they have served their time, bothers me....

[TheAlamo]

yes I'm all for a new law that makes it a mandatory life sentence in Gen Pop of the worse prison we have, for these types of crimes....But to lock them up after they have served their time, bothers me....

Posted by: kelly | Nov 16, 2005 4:58:18 PM

You nailed it. Sex offenders, especially those who violate children, will be used as the basis for more restrictive laws on all of us, when the fact is, they should have gotten the death penalty in the first place, and left the rest of society alone.

But, when people have been subjected to repeat offenses by criminals, then the mindset is "macro" i.e. increase penalties for all crimes and make some new ones while you're at it. Slippery slopes.

[Bigfish]

Here's a shocker.

Do you have info on how many are from Mountain Brook?

Posted by: ~} iwabwu {~ | Nov 16, 2005 7:06:09 PM
http://www.dps.state.al.us/public/abi/system/so/no_addy.asp

Alabama Department of Public Safety-

If you click on each individual name, details will be provided as to who their victims were and even a picture of the offenders. As the caption reads, these 400 Alabama sex offenders have no known address! They are out and about and raises SAFETY issues. Thank you Beth and Governor Riley! ;)

Bigfish

[dugo]

Posted by: Bigfish | Nov 16, 2005 7:34:52 PM

Huh, why do _all_ sex offenders have to stay away from minors? Bit silly if you get convicted for taking your boyfriend up the bum. (Crime Against Nature / Sodomy 1st).

[Bigfish]

Posted by: Bigfish | Nov 16, 2005 7:34:52 PM

Huh, why do _all_ sex offenders have to stay away from minors? Bit silly if you get convicted for taking your boyfriend up the bum. (Crime Against Nature / Sodomy 1st).

Posted by: dugo | Nov 16, 2005 8:27:15 PM

Huh?

Don't know where you're coming from with this Dugo but many on the list of 400 were convicted of child rape, child pornography and other very serious deviant crimes.

BF

[Steve W]

I hate when sex offenders get released. But the answer to the Founding Fathers question is simple:

They decided the moment then they opened a can of whoop ass - to make their point that never again would the King, or any govt official, lock you away without due process - on a whim. One brand of commen sense is another brand of whimsy.

I am not saying this isn't common sense, but the underlying issue is - sadly - much more important than 12 sex offenders getting out of the big house after serving the sentence they were given - what was deemed to be the debt they owed society - established by due process