Judge throws teen in jail for 30 days for giving him the finger.

[TimberWolf]

So what are you doing to get the law changed? Creating a petition? Perhaps contacting your elected representatives?

Actions speak louder than words.

[Shift-4]

But it actually works less than half of the time. I wouldn't consider that a successful approach.

Sending somebody to jail for such minor offences is a long way off from being a viable solution to getting them in line.

[Jägermeister]

I don't think the nature of this young lady's visit behind bars would fit into that study.

[Shift-4]

From the same study.

No mention of any crime severity or length in jail requirement.

All inmates given a Florida prison sentence are included.

http://www.dc.state....ethodology.html

Regardless, it is evidence directly going against the idea that sending somebody to jail is an effective approach to having them change their ways.

[Jägermeister]

Was she sent to prison?

[Shift-4]

If the judges sentence was carried out then she will be.

However, you were right about her not fitting into the study, as it is a county jail sentence which were excluded from the study.

My point wasn't originally being specific to this case, it was more to address that some people think that sending somebody to prison is an effective approach to change their attitude. The fact that recidivism rates are over 50% directly refutes that.

[Electro Rock]

Well I have got good news for you. She wasn't given any jail time for drug use.

The rest of your post would make a good Monday movie of the week plot. Probably starring that woman that played the mom from family ties.

[Bertuzzi Babe]

Regardless, it is evidence directly going against the idea that sending somebody to jail is an effective approach to having them change their ways.

[Jägermeister]

And yet...go figure.......Penelope Soto's behavior was remarkably improved when she appeared back in court. I would say that the video is proof that the judge accomplished exactly what he set out to do. It was a very different Soto who was back in court.

[Wetcoaster]

I won't argue that it doesn't appear like it worked in this scenario, but just because something works once, or even several times, it does not mean it is a viable solution.

[Lockout Casualty]

I won't argue that it doesn't appear like it worked in this scenario, but just because something works once, or even several times, it does not mean it is a viable solution.

[TimberWolf]

Why was she in kourt to begin with?

[Wetcoaster]

It's magic what lack of access to drugs and a public defender can do for even someone like Soto.

[Scott Hartnell's Mane]

She was not jailed for drug possession nor any crime for which the usual sentencing principles would apply.

[Scott Hartnell's Mane]

It's magic what lack of access to drugs and a public defender can do for even someone like Soto.

[Wetcoaster]

So basically jailed for being flippant, eh? Yeah that makes a ton more sense. This is ridiculously absurd, even for Florida.

[Wetcoaster]

Public "pretenders" in Florida are more corrupt than in any other state. I have a close personal friend who got into a little trouble down there and his "public defender"'s first words to him were "Down here on vacation? Looks like you'll leave on probation, at the very least". Professionalism isn't in a Florida PD's vocabulary.

[Scott Hartnell's Mane]

She was cited for criminal contempt in the face of the court and jailed after a summary hearing as is the usual process in numerous jurisdictions - not just Florida.

[Scott Hartnell's Mane]

Having listened to submissions made on her behalf, the Public Defender did his job but ultimately these matters are within the discretion of the trial judge to control his court room. The judge did what is required in such cases. He had the Defendant brought before him, held a summary proceeding in which the Defendant acknowledged her contemptuous conduct and he cited her for it. That is how such things are handled.

The legislature in Florida and in other jurisdictions of which I am aware has left the common law power via inherent jurisdiction in the hands of the individual judges to deal with criminal contempt in the face of the court.

[Wetcoaster]

I'm talking about this entire case..it's loony. Judge with a chip on his shoulder gets fed up with a young drug addict either still in or barely out of high school, doesn't appreciate her "sass" and throws her in the clink. While he thinks this is going to make a positive difference in her life it is far more likely that this will just be a notch in her belt and will have the exact opposite effect that this judge was intending for her. What he needed to do was put her ass on a community service detail for the length of her jail sentence and have her stake garbage and refuse along the highway or have her raking leaves or something similar in like a state park or community park. That's what he should have done if he wanted this to be a learning experience or to actually help this girl. Judge basically looked at the girl like a spoiled brat, typical teenager, and felt it was his place to teach the "whippersnapper" a lesson by putting her in jail...the fact that as LC spoke of earlier the jail in question is Miami-Dade and the conditions therein are absolutely appalling makes this punishment even more harsh.