PROBATION?????

strength

seriously, what is with our judicial system? probation for turning on an oven while your child is in it? jesus.

http://kstp.com/news/stories/S1689552.shtml?cat=1

brifox711

This just makes me sick and angry.

Aimothy

I haven't read the article yet...but please just tell me the mother did not regain custody of that child!!

Janell's Nest

I am pretty sure I know which story this is about but I am not clicking on the article because I do not need my blood pressure to go up exponentially today.  I just have no tolerance for shitty parenting, and abuse.  I find it extremely hard to listen to stories that involve children anymore.

Risakaye

You have got to be kidding me!  Especially because this is an obvious repeat offender.  That judge needs to take a hike.

pattymctatty

"Chatman's sentence was the result of a plea agreement intended to keep the boy off of the witness stand." Direct quote - last sentence of the article.

Some people shouldn't even be offered a plea agreement.

huwehotaling

Yuck...that makes me sick

Mrs. Sarah&Micah

I saw this on the news last night and I was so mad. I don't get it at all.

BlinkMe182

thedutchgirl

Minnesota has sentencing guidelines.  The judge's hands were likely tied by the presumptive sentence provided for in the guidelines.  A judge cannot just give whatever sentence he or she would like to give to a defendant.  Any departure has to be justified by mitigating or aggravating factors that must be found by a jury, unless the defendant waives the jury.  And the mitigating or aggravating are relatively narrow and have a bunch of limitations. 

Elizabeth81

thedutchgirl:

Minnesota has sentencing guidelines.  The judge's hands were likely tied by the presumptive sentence provided for in the guidelines.  A judge cannot just give whatever sentence he or she would like to give to a defendant.  Any departure has to be justified by mitigating or aggravating factors that must be found by a jury, unless the defendant waives the jury.  And the mitigating or aggravating are relatively narrow and have a bunch of limitations. 

Well said. 

I agree with the others that this seems like a slap on the wrist, but blaming the judge and calling for his removal from the bench isn't really justified here.

MichellePete

Elizabeth81:

thedutchgirl:

Minnesota has sentencing guidelines.  The judge's hands were likely tied by the presumptive sentence provided for in the guidelines.  A judge cannot just give whatever sentence he or she would like to give to a defendant.  Any departure has to be justified by mitigating or aggravating factors that must be found by a jury, unless the defendant waives the jury.  And the mitigating or aggravating are relatively narrow and have a bunch of limitations. 

Well said. 

I agree with the others that this seems like a slap on the wrist, but blaming the judge and calling for his removal from the bench isn't really justified here.

 

I agree.  It sucks, but the Guidelines must be followed.  I'm guessing that the prosecutor also didn't want to traumatize the boy any further by having to involve him in a trial.