[Tango-L] Speak up if you are uncomfortable OFF-TOPIC

[Floyd Baker]

On Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:45:46 -0400, you wrote:

>Isn't this about as far OFF-TOPIC as we can possibly get?
>
>
> On Sun Apr 13  2:51 , "Alex"  sent:
>
>>A side note to the side show...



Not at all...   I think it's right on.   That is, if a discussion
about what is in the courts regarding Tango is on topic, then remarks
about the courts and the legal system that will resolve the case, and
why it was so resolved, should be just as welcome.  That is the Tango
List 'on topic' connection for Alex's post and to that below....


If you were in the U.S. you might understand better that what
everything Alex said is correct...

Until fairly recently  (20-30 years?).., lawyers could not advertise
themselves in this country.  They had to gain clients through their
own reputations.   Their ability to win cases for their clients. Word
of mouth, iow...  

Then things were changed.  There are seemingly many reasons...  None
good.   

Lawyers were permitted to advertise themselves... 

Now they have become what I refer to as vultures and maggots with the
T.V. ads they produce..., hoping to suck up every gullible person they
can, take their money, and then dump them..., to go looking for
another gullible money source.   They do this quick turnover thing by
always going for the 'usually always offered' plea bargains.   No
worry about their clients being guilty or not guilty.    Just get what
they can get retainer wise and move on quickly.   I'm sure there are
exceptions.., but with human nature being what it is.., they're few
and far between. 

The prosecutor causes most of this because he wants a kill...  It
doesn't have to be real, or a large one...  They go for quantity not
quality.   In the first place, plea bargains seem to me to be an
admission that the prosecutor knows he doesn't have a winnable case..
So when anyone is arrested on any 'shaky' charge..., the plea bargain
option as an alternative to a possible, and in many cases highly
unlikely conviction, is offered as an 'easy way out'.    All one has
to do is admit to doing something they didn't do.  Threatened to
confess in a way nearly as effective as torture.  And usually
accompanied by a promise of a relatively light penalty to make it even
easier to accept.  The prosecutor has his 'record' (number of cases
won over number lost) improved.., the lawyer does a quick turn around
and makes some bucks doing nothing.., and the hapless victim now has a
factual 'criminal' record  of admitting 'guilt' to *something*...
Something he did not do.

To accomplish this.., the prosecutors will keep lawyers waiting in the
lobby for hours and hours., if not days and days, before calling their
case to go before the judge..., if the lawyer does not comply with his
demand to get the client to cop a plea.   They lawyers must push for
this or they go broke sitting on their butts.

The victem now has a record, and if by chance he is ever brought up on
a similar charge.  Which is very likely in certain occupations where
p/i in its many forms has become prevalent.   Photographers of nude
women, artists who portray what is seen by some as pornographic,  and
I guess maybe Tango instructors too?  Not to mention a thousand other
occupations.  The second time he has no option.   He cannot cop a plea
again.  None will be offered.  And.., his previous guilty plea to a
cop out will most likely be used against him.   Showing that he has a
'record', admitted guilt then, and surely must be guilty now.     

It's all a game you see.  This country is building a penal system that
will be the envy of every dictator the world has ever seen.., past,
present and future.  They have more people in jail in the U.S. now
than any other country has ever had in theirs.   Prisons are being
built in record numbers.  Various forns of law enforcement and
criminal justice have become the the top choices, or very near it, for
courses to be taken at colleges around the country.    

This is where the jobs are now.., and are projected to increase
dramatically in the near future.  

This country needs to create industry..., eh?     It has allowed most
manufacturing and 'real' jobs to be shipped off shore.., but the
economy must be maintained somehow.

In my opinion, plea bargains should not be allowed.  They are a souce
of corruption.   Merely a means to gain some kind of conviction...,
but a conviction none the less.

I don't know anyone connected with the situation under discussion and
I'm not making judgements or advising anyone in particular...  But for
those who can afford a non-corruptable laywer, fighting charges
certainly seem the best way to go no matter what the cost.   Fight for
aquittal.   Make them work for their numbers.   Better than changing
occupations.  Better than committing yourself to a criminal record for
something not done.   Then, if possible, to perhaps counter sue when
found not guilty?   Just to keep *everyone* honest, you know?  ;0)

Just an opinon... INAL...  

Floyd


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