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I'm about as ticked as I've been in a long time. My hometown power mongers are out of control. A three time drunk driving offender was let off with a wrist slap and prosecuted as a first time offender because his ex-wife works in the municipal court office.

She admitted talking to the judge and prosecutor prior to the case, and said the judge told her he'd "keep his blinders on" regarding the two previous convictions, even considering he's still on probation for the second one! That offense is public record and the details were easily found on the municipal court website of the city he received the conviction.

The judge and prosecutor dropped two of the three charges against this repeat offender, and the court records show he didn't have proof of insurance. He wasn't even charged for that. They even gave him work driving privelages...he's a contractor and can pretty much drive whenever he wants.

I (and other members of the community) do NOT want this blatant disregard to public safety for purposes of favoritism to go unnoticed, and I've typed a draft of a letter I'm going to submit to concerned parties... the mayor, police chief, law director, council safety committee, local press and MADD.

I'd really appreciate some input into addressing this issue. This type of good ol' boy politics has been going on for a long time here, and we want something done about it. We wish to remain annonymous for fear of repercussions.

I think you're in a catch-22. You wish to remain annonymous but want to show that a whole community is upset. The best way to do that, I would imagine, would be to write to the local news stations and let them pick up on the story. Good luck with your mission!

It's definitely a good ol' boy network, and nobody wants to be marked. We're just a small group, not the whole community.

Drunk Driving is tricky....I don't see it as a crime unless

A. You're too drunk to stand up and/or have double vision or that drunk stare.

B. You're driving reckless

Of these two, one is clearly caused by drinking, the other is simply a problem in itself.

And I hate all the blowhards out there thaat make the assumption that you are a danger to the public after 3-4 beers. And guess what, after 3-4 beers you can get a DUI. The drinking and driving laws in this country are completely out of control. They are just another way that the state can suck money out of your pockets.

The media LOVES small town corruption stories. I would print out these facts of public record and send it to EVERY media outlet within 100 miles. And contacting MADD could be your most possible allie.

Surely someone will pick up on it. That's most likely a fairly productive avenue to follow IMO

Out here in Arizona we'd handle it by petitioning for a recall vote on the judge.

Absolute power coorupts absolutely...and a little bit of power corrupts, too.

Organize and get the media involved. You don't have to remian anonymous once there's strength in numbers. But, I will admit, easier said than done, right?

I completely understand how frustrated you are. After the two fatal accidents on N. Curtice and Seaman and the numerous accidents on Route 2, something should be done. We have been awaken a number of times to sirens and flashing lights only to find out that someone lost their lives to a drunk driver. But we are in Jerusalem Township so I don't know if we could be any assistance. Keep up the good fight!

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And that is why I don't think it is as the post indicates.

The judge is going to at minimum go with the charges brought forward.

DUI laws are written in a way that there usually isn't any wiggle room.....even in the cases where there needs to be.

It is easier to get people out of a murder charge.....or reduce the charge/ sentence than it is to reduce or drop a DUI.

That is a fact for what it is worth.

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It is exactly as the post indicates. lf you want, I'll pm you the court case numbers and you can see for yourself by checking the case records on the websites. He was charged and sentenced for a DUI in '03 and is on probation for that...and was charged as a first time DUI offender in this case.

You know J,just posting them HERE might bring about the possibility that someone that could make a difference might see it? Just an idea. I know this isn't a newspaper or "the press" per say,but many people browse this board. You never know when one of them may be in a position of power to take a long,hard look at this.

Just an idea for what it's worth. I know I am very interested. And if I had those facts and cases at hand,I would e-mail people in support of your cause. ie...Congressmen,Ohio Supreme Court,etc...

JMHO

Why don't you notify the state bar association? Notify the press and make sure the know that the bar association has been notified. 60 minutes loves to do official corruption stories, hmmmm!

Report the prosecutor to the Ohio Ethics Commission. The judge is under jurisdiction of Ohio Supreme Court. (though the prosecutor may also be liable under those guys).

The clerk is absolutely under the ethics committee jurisdiction. You can anonymously report to both (IIRC about the BOC).

Those are two organizations I didn't think of. Thanks!