My boyfriend was at a party 2yrs ago with his best friend and his best friend's 16yr old brother. they fell asleep and the adults who gave them alcohol woke them up and told them they had to leave. they debated on who should drive and my b/f decided to. they went off a cliff and the 16yr old died. this was 2yrs ago. the court case is finally wrappin up. he is still best friends with the boys brother and the family of the boy doesn't want him to serve any jail or prison time, they think the adults should. The DA won't meet with the family or go after the adults. My b/f feels so guilty all the time and hasn't drank since then, he has chosen to do a blind plea (even though the family of the boy doesn't want him to) where he says he's guilty of manslaughter. he's goin to jail for 45 to 90 days where he will wait for the judge to decide further punishment. What do you think the judge will decide to do?
2007-08-22 03:46:44 · 7 answers · asked by concerned 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
He had just turned 18 at the time
2007-08-22 08:10:18 · update #1
Sounds to me like the DA is making an example of your boyfriend. How old was your boyfriend at the time? Was he of legal drinking age? If not, the parents should be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. At the very least, they should be held liable for allowing the boys to leave. A bartender can get in trouble for serving someone too much alcohol if they get behind the wheel and kill someone. What is the difference here?
While it's a testament to the 16 year old's parents that they don't hold your boyfriend at fault, the fact remains that he did kill someone. I think it's admirable that he's standing up and taking responsibility for his action, and shows remorse. I think the judge will take that into consideration, but ultimately, what he or she decides to do is entirely up to them. They'll take a lot of factors into consideration, but manslaughter is no light charge. Your boyfriend is likely to do more jail time than just 45 to 90 days. But I'm not a judge. They do silly stuff sometimes. Good luck.
2007-08-22 04:03:09 · answer #1 · answered by KitKat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Was your BF underage at the time? In some states, adults who serve alcohol to minors share the guilt. Your BF should discuss this with his attorney.
In any event, your BF was responsible for the death due to his intoxication and should be punished. But the adults might share in the responsibility.
Judge can do whatever he wants within the law. If your BF seems sincerely remorseful, he will probably get off easier. Note I said "easier", not "easy."
Good luck, dear.
2007-08-22 10:56:46 · answer #2 · answered by GFC 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your boyfriend will probably have to do some time..... although the adults were in the wrong for giving minors alcohol... it was his choice and bad decision making ultimately to get behind the wheel and drive drunk.. thus taking someones life..
2007-08-22 11:00:54 · answer #3 · answered by ☠Naz☠ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow - that's a really tough one. I'm not sure about your boyfriend, but I think the adults should definitely be prosecuted. How could they not? I can't stand these parents that think they are being their kids friend instead of a parent.
They disgust me. Good luck to your bf
2007-08-22 10:56:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
He is going to jail.
it was his choice to drive, he could have called a cab or asked to stay over night.
While it is appreciated that the boys family does not hold a grudge against him, he did break the law.
2007-08-22 10:51:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your family should file criminal charges against those adults right away.
2007-08-22 11:24:34 · answer #6 · answered by OC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your boyfriend drove while drunk and KILLED a 16 year old boy, and he is (hopefully) going to prison for a few years.
2007-08-22 10:53:14 · answer #7 · answered by Citicop 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋