This is a freaking joke - RANT

[Keystone_Raider]

A year ago a woman passed a bad check in my shop. Turns out I am one of 20+ business's she did that to and I am low man on the totem pole ( approx $220 dollars). To top that off after the bad checks she and a couple other people stopped to help an car accident victim and before the ambulance got there they stole her purse and then proceeded to go on a shopping spree ( this made national news at the time. ) When I went to the first hearing at the magistrates there were four of us there, all small business owners. We all arrived early and 45 minutes after we were supposed to start the POS calls and says she ran out of gas and would be late. Long story short after wasting a couple hrs at the magistrates we were told that she had three months to make restitution or be sentenced. She does not even work so what do you think the chances of restitution are?

Couple of months go by and I get a notice of a sentencing hearing. I decide I have wasted enough time so I don't go but call Victim Services and do what I have to to make sure I can get restitution. A week after the hearing I call to see what punishment she received and was told the hearing did not happen as someone did not show up. Guess who? Fast forward to last week - second hearing - this time I get a notice that she is pleading guilty and will be sentenced. So I call yesterday to find out what "sentence" she received. I just got a call and apparently, She is being "evaluated" and her wages are to be attached. After I quit laughing I asked the lady what wages as said woman does not work. Apparently she is going to try to become employable. I voiced my opinion that she needs to be jailed, then put on a work crew picking up litter on the highways at .30 hr until restitution is paid. Lady agreed but says that's how it works unfortunately.

Now let's assume that this woman can even find and hold a job - which I don't think is possible. She is going to earn min wage which is $7.50 an hr here in PA. She will never, ever repay the thousands of dollars she owes, if she even makes any attempt. Apparently what she did by stealing the accidents victims purse and going on a spending spree must be o.k. as it does not appear that she's getting jail time out of that either. Assuming she does get her wages attached, what are the additional costs in that- someone at the courthouse has to process that and then mail out the payments. I'm guessing the stamp on the envelope my payment comes in will be worth more.

Well, that's probably the most you will ever see me type at one time - I'm so PO'd right now. That someone like that can act with total disregard for the law and just basically get off with no punishment makes me just shake my head in bewilderment. Not to mention the total waste of taxpayer dollars involved.

 

[Mr Peat]

While I was going through my whole ordeal, there was a lady that was being charged for the same thing as this. They got her on Forgery charges and was sentenced 5 to 10 years in Prison. And yes, she was found guilty as she took a plea bargain as it was lesser time than she was looking at. I don't know what the PA Justice system does, but I'd be pissed too.

 

[jfields]

Looks like they make more money off of traffic violations...................."Next case!"

 

[Rob_k]

The system is broke...makes me wonder why a judge will even allow this to get to court so many times...he should just issue a bench warrant and haul her arse into the slammer.
Too bad this had to happen to you bro...lets hope justice will prevail.
Rob

 

[alexgtp]

pffft..

I remember a guy broke into my car and a cpl other cars on the block.
They caight him red handed and had a bunch of the stolen merchandise in his possession.
I went to court three times for testimony.
I get a letter in the mail 2 months after trial thanking me for my time and testmony and to let me know that he was not going to be sentenced.. I WAS LIKE WTF!!! Why did I miss 3 days of work and pay for this bozo to get off. No justice!!

 

[gunsandcigars88]

I work at a Sheriff's department and it would absolutely amaze you how many warrants come in every day for "Theft By Check". It is ridiculous. We have had weeks where we received up to 70-80 theft by check warrants PER DAY. This is not a large town that I live in and it just goes to show you how many people write hot checks.

 

[MoeCizlak]

Stealing is one thing, and a bad thing at that. But stealing from an accident victim? I'm quite certain there is a fitting medieval punishment for this that would be deemed cruel in today's context. But then again.....

 

[Rebel Herfer]

Not too long ago, horse theft meant a hanin'! Since then we've elevated the criminal and debased our justice system. Justice is blinfolded because were it to come off, she would be puking her guts out over the mockery we've allowed. I'm not saying "hang 'em" but it's time justice was swift and fitting.