Me(White) and my buddy(Black) went to a dive bar to grab some beers. We both got drunk and ended up gettng into a brawl with two other guys who were there(Both black). The cops arrested all of us. While we were in the holding cells we sobered up and all four of us agreed that it was just a drunkin bar brawl and nobody was hurt so we would all not press charges on each other. The judge gave the three of them a Disturbing the Peace Fine for $400 each. Since I was white I was charged with a hate crime assualt and now will be fined $6000 and 3 months in jail. What the hell is wrong with this country?
I had a lawyer, and up until the judge decided on his example, we all thought we were just getting a disturbing the peace fine. I'm not even mad at the cops, I mean we all deserved to get arrested but now my life is screwed, I'll have a record. My lawyer is trying to fight it (Which is already costing me a lot more even if he does get it overturned.) The judge was white.
2006-12-20 12:23:36 · 6 answers · asked by The Truth About Cigarettes! 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Computers are very misterious.
2006-12-20 12:26:51 · answer #1 · answered by puta m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hear you. Sometimes it does appear that this equal rights and equal opportunity thing goes too far in that direction and it ends up that the white guys finish last. I have no prejudice whatsoever toward black people, and feel that they deserve to be treated equally -- not superiorly, but equally. Actually, I'm with the credo that all men are created equal. Apparently this judge (and I've seen it happen time and time again with others) was afraid of showing favoritism to a white person, so he let the black fellows get by with a lesser fine. Then they couldn't later accuse him of deference to a white guy because he, himself, was white. It's the same thing with women's rights. And now women think they can walk all over the men just because of the Equal Rights Amendment. Not so! Equal Rights means just that -- equality, not superiority. What that amounts to is discrimination in reverse which is just as wrong as the original discrimination.
In any event, I hope your attorney is successful in reducing your charge to disturbing the peace, since you were all in this equally. That would be the only fair way. How can you be accused of a hate crime (translation, racial crime) when your own buddy was black??? And if he's a good guy, your attorney may also reduce his legal fees. Lots of luck to you!
2006-12-20 12:43:56 · answer #2 · answered by gldjns 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One question: What ever happend to? "If you can't afford a lawyer, one will be provided?"
Oh and about the record thing, don't worry, you're not the only one with a record. I guess just be more careful next time. You could always set up a payment plan for that $6000 fine. If you have a strong chance to win the case, then that means the lawyer was worth it, and the judge would have to rebuke what he said (or charged you with) and you can settle some sort of agreement with him and your lawyer.
2006-12-20 12:29:04 · answer #3 · answered by Suzy Suzee Sue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fact that your buddy is black will help. It will demonstrate that the motivation for the brawl had nothing to do with coulour.
By definition at least one of the other blacks could be charged in the same way.
What was the subject of the dispute that resulted in the brawl?
That is also key.
Good luck to you.
2006-12-20 12:32:27 · answer #4 · answered by philip_jones2003 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can't you get those to testify with what happened?? And your buddy is black so that should prove it even more. Sounds like the judge is trying to make a name for himself.
2006-12-20 12:28:03 · answer #5 · answered by ~**Athena's Mommy**~ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stop drinking.
Start thinking!
2006-12-20 12:26:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋