Part I: Federal Statutes & Minnesota State Statutes
Federal Statutes vary based on the drug/schedule, and the quantity of each specific drug/schedule. In addition the penalties for the trafficking of controlled substances will vary dependant on the quantity of the drug/schedule. For example, Cocaine (a schedule II controlled substance) in the quantity of 500-4999 gms mixture will according to the Drug Enforcement Administration will result in the following penalties:
“First Offense: “Not less than 5 yrs, and not more than 40 yrs. If death or serious injury, not less than 20 or more than life. Fine of not more than $2 million if an individual, $5 million if not more than life/ Fine of not more than $2 million if an individual, $5 million if not an individual.”
“Second Offense: Not less than 10 yrs, and not more than life. If death or serious injury, life imprisonment. Fine of not more than $4 million if an individual, $10 million if not individual “
Source: U.S Drug Enforcement Administration: Federal Drug Trafficking Penalties (http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/agency/penalties.htm, accessed 11/05/2007.)
However when the quantity increases, the penalties additionally increase. For example, Cocaine (a schedule II controlled substance) in the amount of 5 kgs or more mixture carries the following penalties as according to the Drug Enforcement Administration:
“First Offense: Not less than 10 yrs, and not more than life. If death or serious injury, not less than 20 or more than life. Fine of not more than $4 million if an individual, $10 million if not an individual. “
“Second Offense: Not less than 20 yrs, and not more than life. If death or serious injury, life imprisonment. Fine of not more than $8 million if an individual, $20 million if not an individual.”
“2 or More Prior Offenses: Life imprisonment “
Source: U.S Drug Enforcement Administration: Federal Drug Trafficking Penalties (http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/agency/penalties.htm, accessed 11/05/2007.)
Compared and contrasted with the Minnesota Statutes, from my research I see that the only things that distinguish on weather it is a State or Federal law violation is the actual act of trafficking it’s self. For example, let’s say that I have 10 kilograms of meth. I am a drug trafficker (dealer) and I am busted. I would face the same level of penalties on a state level that I would face on a federal level due to mandatory minimums and sentencing guidelines. The thing that classifies whether my criminal act is a federal offense of not is based on if I had crossed state lines. For example, if I had trafficked into the state of Wisconsin then it becomes a federal offense.
However, (although still a bit confusing to sort through all this information I have found on penalties.) it appears that federal laws deal with larger quantities of a controlled substance. (So what I need to research further is if the amount of a controlled substance distinguished on it becoming a federal offense even when the act is centralized within a states range of jurisdiction. The in that case can an individual be charged both federally and by the state for the same acts?)
When discussing the rate for Drug Violations in the last two years, surprisingly they have been on the decline both federally and on a state level. According to the DEA in 2003 and 2004 we were at our lowest for Arrest, and then in 2004 we began to see an increase. By 2006 however we began to see another decline in Drug Violation arrests. See the following chart:
Source: Drug Enforcement Administration: State Statistics http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/minnesota.html(accessed 11/05/2007)
The most recent Federal Statistics that I was able to locate on drug violation arrests was from 1999. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, “between 1984 and 1999, the number of defendants charged with a drug offense in Federal courts increased from 11,854 to 29,306. As the following chart that includes drug related arrest up until 2004 one will see that there has been a steady incline in Federal Arrests.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance.htm#convictions (accessed 11/07/2007)
Part II: Mandatory Minimums and Sentencing guidelines
Does the legislation we have in place both on federal and state levels work to combat an every increasing epidemic? It appears not. Congress intended mandatory minimums and sentencing guidelines to target “king pins” and manager in drug distribution networks. In fact based on a pervious research paper about mandatory minimums I have written in the past resulted in the conclusion that The U.S. Sentencing Commission and the Department of Justice have both concluded that mandatory sentencing fails to deter crime. In addition, he U.S. Sentencing Commission had reported in 2006 that only 11 percent of federal drug defendants are high-level drug dealers. Where does this leave us? Well More than 80 percent of the increase in the federal and state prison population is due to drug violation arrests.
Drug arrests continue to rise…so is our stategy working? Obviously not and here is why, mandatory minimums and sentencing guidelines contain flaws. In addition opponents to these laws protest that these laws are unduly harsh across the board. Others such as proponents, suggests that they are a form of a comprehensive crime control strategy.
When one reflects back on the Criminal Justice system it is clear that many changes have occurred throughout the centuries. It appears that the Enlightenment conception of imprisonment as a general or “all purpose” form of punishment continues to hold sway among the United States Public. This all purpose approach has been advocated by theorists such as David Fogel, Ernest van den Haag, James Q. Wilson, and Ronald Clarke. Collectively they all favored the following:
o Doing away with indeterminate sentencing and its replacement with various forms of determinate sentencing, including sentencing guidelines, mandatory sentences, habitual offender statutes, etc.
The correction system is the last step and an essential component within the criminal justice process. The correctional system is made up of subsystems called institutional corrections and non-institutional systems of which have a large variety of correctional options. In addition the correctional system enforces societies control over its members by holding them accountable for crimes committed and serving as the offenders “punishment”.
The organization of the criminal system could also be referred to as the components of the criminal justice system. A. The police. B. The Courts and, C. Corrections. The federal government and legislation dictates what laws are based on what society deems to be appropriate and non-appropriate actions and behaviors. Based on laws and legislation the court system then decides whether or not a crime has been committed.
Proponents of Mandatory Minimums and Sentencing Guidelines argue that punishment is a means of reforming a criminal, incapacitating criminals from repeating their acts of crime, and deterring others. In addition, punishment serves to deter others from committing crimes, and to prevent the criminal from repeating crimes.
Is it possible that the justifications for mandatory sentencing and minimums guidelines are due to the very fact that in an offender frequently only serves a portion of their full sentence? Justification on the increase of punishment is due to the existence of crime and the need to address the problem. We have increasing punishment due to increasing crime. Hence the need to prevent crime is the justification to increase punishment.
Proponents have expresses the need for comprehensive crime control, and the need to eliminating sentencing disparities many Judges encounter when sentencing offenders. This brought forth the creation of important Crime Control Act’s. First was the Comprehensive Crime Control Act in 1984. The CCA overhauled the federal sentencing system. Second was the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1990. The VCCLEA provided funding for law enforcement and crime enforcement measures. For example increasing the number of crimes punishable by the death penalty, and establishing a “three strikes” provision for repeat violent offenders.
Many individuals would not oppose a bill such as the one listed above; however there are other types of crimes where they would argue that mandatory minimums and sentencing guidelines have gone way off track. Opponents argue that the poor are swept into the criminal justice system by lack of proper representation for in many cases first time offenses. Many argue that it is a direct violation of the Eighth Amendment under the cruel and unusual punishment clause.
One of the more widely spread controversial issues taking place in America is the war on drugs. There are various offenses that carry a mandatory minimum. For such offenses, the mandatory minimum precludes judges from sentencing at a lower guideline range minimum or from granting a downward departure that might otherwise be available, unless one of two statutory provisions applies.
First, a judge may impose a sentence below the applicable mandatory minimum if the government (the federal prosecutor) files a motion with the court for such sentencing relief because of the defendant's "substantial assistance" in the investigation or prosecution of another person. The discretion to make such a motion rests solely with the prosecutor.
Second, in the absence of a substantial assistance motion, the "safety valve" provision affords relief from any otherwise applicable mandatory minimum sentence for drug offenders who have minimal criminal history; were not violent, armed, or high-level participants; and provided the government with truthful information regarding the offense. In these cases, the court is directed by statute to impose a sentence pursuant to the sentencing guidelines without regard to a mandatory minimum.
According to Caulkins (1997) Prosecutors, not judges, have the discretion to decide whether to reduce a charge, whether to accept or deny a plea bargain, whether to reward or deny a defendant's "substantial assistance" or cooperation in the prosecution of someone else, and ultimately, to determine what the final sentence will be.
When we reflect back to the proponent’s argument that these mandatory sentencing guidelines and minimums are a comprehensive crime control strategy we can clearly see that they have had little effect within the war on drugs. In fact according to Susan Turner (2000) “three strikes and truth-in-sentencing laws have had little significant impact on crime and arrest rates. According to the Uniform Crime Reports, states with neither a three strikes nor a truth-in-sentencing law had the lowest rates of index crimes, whereas index crime rates were highest in states with both types of get-tough laws."
Proponents could argue that based on research conducted by numerous sources the drug epidemic in this country is out of control and that action must be taken. For example the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), World Drug Report of 2005 revealed that, “Some 200 million people, or 5% of the world's population age 15-64, have used drugs at least once in the last 12 months.”
Do get tough laws work and are they effective when dealing with the WAR on drugs? Another issue that arises within this debate would be does jail time really help. Proponents would argue yes it does help. Sending individuals away under harsh sentences serves as first a deterrent to others and second incarceration is not just aimed at punishment but as well as reformation. Opponents argue that sending an addict to prison in not the right thing to do. Addicts need to have their addiction addressed in an appropriate setting, and a prison is not what they consider to be an appropriate setting for recovery.
According to Schmalleger and Smykla (2007) the American Correctional Association promotes the development of sentencing policies that should be based on the principle of proportionality and to not be based on race (impartial to race). Opponents could argue this very promotion adamantly. How can sentencing be proportional to a crime when there are mandatory sentencing guidelines and minimums in place by legislature? Again the judge has no other option but to hand down a sentence in accordance to the law which could in effect undermine the very judge we as Americans entrust with overseeing one of our most important Constitutional rights; the Eighth Amendment which protects against cruel and unusual punishment.
According to a PBS Frontline investigation (n.d.) 95% of all people that are convicted of felonies give up their right to trial to take a plea barging. This is where opponents claim that the poor are swept “under the rug” by the criminal justice system. This happens due to poor and inadequate state provided defense counsel.
Opponents argue that mandatory sentencing guidelines are harsh across the board. Proponents argue that offenders deserve to have serious criminal sanction; they are guilty when they come into the justice system. Either way this is a controversial issue in need of serious federal and legislative overhauling. As Griest (1991) concludes, “the struggle for justice can in return become a struggle for power.
very good info here! When is...
Back to page topvery good info here! When is meeker county going to follow the law? it seems many are being imprisoned on a first time offence and given maximum sentenceing in this county with no regaurd to no prior offences!Do we have a prosicuting attorney with his own personal vendeta?Was he made fun of by a drug user at one time and punishes all who comes across his almighty path because he has the ultimate say not what is right per case? Imprisoning our young on first time offences is just wrong! Why would our county want to cause more devestation than needed?Drug addiction and alcohol addiction is a "disease" and falls under "other"just like ADD,ADHD,EBD,OCD ,BIPOLAR,& PTSD,"mental disorders" for medical insurances. Most offenders are in possesion of these disorders and self medicate when not under medical care. When our children get to a certain age our insr. no longer covers them for care and most employment available to our young either dosnt have med insurance or is so expensive our young forfit because of lack of funds yet make to much to qualify for M.A.Wouldnt it have made more sense to help these young individuals with treatment programs and divirsion programs? Just what its the" true" meaning of "Social Services"? I know part of our tax dollars funds this program that is to be made available for "all those who are in need" HENCE the name ;"Social"&"Services". Not just single parents of lessor income thats called "child support " and they do recover it in one way or another!How can imprisoning a 18-25 yr age group help their future?(now adays experts say the average age of a adult child moves out to be on their own is 23) I think that meeker collects more then their fair share of tax's to have these programs in place.Just what is this county offering our young in these financial hard times that all are experiencing?Their is a "rule 25" that falls under the Mn healthcare act ( medical assistance). but in "our" sons case the judge refused to allow our child to go in his words "I would find it hard to justify spending that on him" what a crock of s****! My son paid his tax'sfor 5 yrs at that time, we pay our tax's as a matter of fact because of our income we pay more than the average citizen also this county gets extra funding because who my spouse is employed with( Federal Gov). So when is this county going to let our son collect on his share that he and his family has prepaid for?He does qualify and is legally intitled to it!I beleive this county is predjudice in this case so does his attorney! As a matter of fact several attorney's said to me that his case stunk from the very beginning!3 attorney's stated it was an "illegal search and seisure" not a welfare check as it was supposed to be, my son notified a friend he was w/people that were trouble and needed help the officer that lied did so about the friend he contacted for help and myself!yet he claimed " He would help him) some help he gave my son just like the help they gave vicki's son ( see dasselman arrested for shooting gun).Yet all was swept under the rug. These cases should be overturned!I know one of the deputies out and out lied and we have a witness to prove that! This case is not over for meeker county by a long shot.Class action or no class action they better hold on to the seat of their pants! This family is just at the starting gate !When this FBI invest. is over you will see then!!!The sheriff's dept is worthless and a hugh waste of tax payers money. If you dont think so just wait with your remarks untill the FBI investigation is over otherwise you just might be eating your own words!Anything happening good here with law enforcement is Pat Fanks office and the FBI being here!I give credit where it's due! I know what brought the(FBI) here!And yes I have had contact with them as well!
Interesting. why do they do...
Back to page topInteresting. why do they do these things to people? I cant figure out why anyone wouldnt allow anyone a chance for any reason. this is crazy how can a judge deny treatment to a person willing to go that gets approved by state rule?That is less than reasonable. What is wrong with this areas system?seems very broken you people need to get this problem undercontroll. boy Im glad this is not happening in my area! What a catrastrophy and injustice to you guys and your kids. This is the only area I have ever heard of being so hard to get help for addictions.not right at all. Why do you guys have a bad prosacuting attorney? They could stop all of this over jailing business and help these addicts get help and start there lives over the young ones have a better chance at recovery I dont think that putting them away will help any but prove to the young they will be thrown away as worthless human beings and give up on anything good ever happing in there lives. I can see that they would remain unstable and depressed and fail because your area is failing your young!
A family is a team March...
Back to page topA family is a team
March 17, 2008
by Jenni Sebora
I read the “Eleven Commandments of an Enthusiastic Team” a short while ago. It was posted in a classroom and I thought it fitting even for families. A family unit is certainly a team, or maybe it should be viewed that way.
Every team has to have a team leader to keep things going in the right direction (parents) but each member of the team (family) should be viewed as a contributing member with worthwhile things to say and do to add to the team unit. And each team member should be valued and heard.
Here are these commandments:
1. Help each other be right, rather than wrong.
2. Look for ways to make new ideas work, rather than for reasons they won’t.
3. If in doubt, check it out, rather than making negative assumptions.
4. Help each other win and take pride in each other’s victories. (I like this one.)
5. Speak positively about each other and about your school (work setting, family, etc.) at every opportunity.
6. Maintain a positive mental attitude no matter what the circumstances.
7. Act with initiative and courage as if all depends on you.
8. Do everything with enthusiasm – it’s contagious (we know that’s true.)
9. Believe in what you are doing, never give up (we can’t - it’s our family).
10. Whatever you want – give it away (so to say).
11. Have fun!
Source: Inservice Alternatives newsletter, Bay City Mich.
So many of these commandments fit a family unit. Treating our children with respect as individuals with needs, wants and as contributing members is important. If children are heard and really listened to, they are more likely to also listen to you and others as well.
Often as parents we have a tendency to sometimes make negative assumptions about certain things our children have done, or we jump to conclusions before we really know what is going on.
It is important to “check it out” rather than making negative assumptions. There are always reasons behind behavior.
Of course, we want each member to win. Each person needs their own things to be proud of, and we need to support our children and take pride in family victories, whatever they may be.
Sometimes when the going gets rough or we’ve had a long day, and the day only gets longer (chores, homework, etc.), it is hard to always maintain a positive mental attitude.
If someone needs a break, including us as parents, we need to take those breaks some time, alone (if possible, with kids that need to be supervised), a bath, listening to some soothing music. Or how about a hug?
Family units do depend on the adults involved. Our children do depend on us and must be foremost in our lives.
Does that mean we give up everything, our hobbies, etc? Of course not. In fact when we are happy individuals, we are happy people. And it is good for our children to view their parents engaging in healthy hobbies. We want our children to have hobbies that they enjoy as well.
Having a positive attitude is important. As they say, “look at the glass half full rather than half empty.” We role model for our children in everything we do, say and act. Having fun with our children and playing with them at their levels is important for them as well as for us.
“The family unit plays a critical role in our society and in the training of the generation to come,” said Sandra Day O’Connor (first American woman Supreme Court Justice).
Maybe your judges and...
Back to page topMaybe your judges and prosacuting attorney wasnt brought up the way the prior artical read.Maybe they were abused in some way and feel it is thier right not give anyone a 2nd chance because thier parents never gave them one? How sad if this is the case. I believe most parents of baby boomers have and are raising thier kids this way.Maybe your court system needs to be updated on a more forward and posative way that is currently used most elsewhere? How can this area be so slow at seeing how more advance methods of drug/alch.treatments along with mental health services and re-entry to employment programs really do work!First time offenders do not deserve prison time. by the prosacuting attorney in your area giving out these demands you people need to have him checked out by a greater authority or you can expect a great percentage of your young adults being imprisoned! I can also say that the amount of moneys put out by the parents of these cases could be astonishing even when there is a public defender involved just from time and things needed to be supportive of thier children not to mention mental anguish. I think the money they will spend would have been applied to a better cause with the " family unit".
Prosecutors, not judges,...
Back to page topProsecutors, not judges, have the discretion to decide whether to reduce a charge, whether to accept or deny a plea bargain, whether to reward or deny a defendant's "substantial assistance" or cooperation in the prosecution of someone else, and ultimately, to determine what the final sentence will be.
Judges hands are TIED DUE TO MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCING GUIDELINES. Blame your legislators and the president George Bush and his "comprehensive" war on drugs that is not working because it was designed to put the KING PINS who manufacture and distribute. First time offenders are being sent to prison when it is the "king Pins" who should be going to prison.
If you think about it....the way I do as a Crminal Justice student...we are using the small time users with records as narks to work their way up into larger circles....the police agencies around this country are wheeling and dealing drugs because not for thier aim to combat it...but because the $$$'s recovered in sting opperationg brings inrevenue for that department. They sell the drugs too. Now on a higher political level lobbists for pharmaseutical companies do not wantharsh regulations imposed on the over counter medications being used to make and manufacture the drug METH becasue they are a multi billion dollar industry! What is wrong with this picture. It has been always about the dollar and not the people of America who struggle with addiction! We could be doing so much more then we are doing now to prevent drug use....but we don't. Blame your president and congress for that, and the way the allow police agencies to opperate. The justice system is very flawed....but it is not your local agenices fault's. Put the blame higher up...think out side the box when you go to vote this year for our new President.
I agree with you one hundred...
Back to page topI agree with you one hundred percent! Your prosecutor has the ABILITY but seems not to approach some of those who are willing to do just that. I happen to know of a case here where that very thing happened. The offender offered to come forward with some info but they refused it thinking they got everyone involved but I know that the info they had,has nothing todo with the others. It was very important info.Now that person sits behind bars.all info,deals,treatment never accepted, or offered and it was a first offence. I have already thought about my political standing as I am 100% american. I would never vote for the party that agree's with sentencing guidelines that are currently standing. I am more in tune with you than you realize.
I do not think we should be...
Back to page topI do not think we should be making any deals at all with drug dealers or users. Dealer should get madatory treatment and jail time for the selling. In my oppinion legislation should be charging dealers with attempted murder charges because they are selling and manufacturing a product that can cause death! Furthermore it is agaimnst the Federal Trade Commisions laws to sell a product (pharmasutical without FDA approval) see these are loop holes we could be using but don't! Imagine the impact it would have with attempted murder laws?
I would love to see MN BEGIN...
Back to page topI would love to see MN BEGIN to participate in the RED RIBBON WEEK. Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. Although the start end dates can vary slightly depending on the organization and source, Red Ribbon Week generally takes place the last full week in October, with the weekends before and following the last full week included as appropriate celebration dates. Red Ribbon Week serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children through a commitment to drug prevention and education and a personal commitment to live drug free lives with the ultimate goal being the creation of drug free America.
Camarena worked his way through college, served in the Marines and became a police officer. When he decided to join the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, his mother tried to talk him out it. "I can't not do this," he told her. "I'm only one person, but I want to make a difference."
The DEA sent Camarena to work undercover in Mexico investigating a major drug cartel believed to include officers in the Mexican army, police and government. On Feb. 7, 1985, the 37-year-old Camarena left his office to meet his wife for lunch. Five men appeared at the agent's side and shoved him in a car. One month later, Camarena's body was found in a shallow grave. He had been tortured to death. 1
Within weeks of his death in March of 1985, Camarena’s Congressman, Duncan Hunter, and high school friend Henry Lozano, launched Camarena Clubs in Imperial Valley, California, Camarena’s home. Hundreds of club members pledged to lead drug-free lives to honor the sacrifices made by Camarena and others on behalf of all Americans. 2 These coalitions began to wear red badges of satin, red ribbons, as a symbol Camarena's memory. The Red Ribbon Week campaign emerged from the efforts of these clubs and coalitions.
Today, Red Ribbon Week is nationally recognized and celebrated, helping to preserve Special Agent Camarena’s memory and further the cause for which he gave his life. The Red Ribbon Campaign also became a symbol of support for the DEA’s efforts to reduce demand for drugs through prevention and education programs. By wearing a red ribbon during the last week in October, Americans demonstrate their ardent opposition to drugs. They pay homage not only to Special Agent Camarena, but to all men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in support of our nation’s struggle against drug trafficking and abuse. 3
I think you are...
Back to page topI think you are missunderstanding what I have posted. I was referenceing that this person had info to give and offered it but it was never listened to.The law enforcement " thought " they had all the right people.But in reality there was a bigger fish that this person was willing to hand over but the law wouldnt listen.So there is a bigger problem left in your area because your prosecuting attorney was being ignorant and biased. basicaly the law was fishing for walleye and all they got was a sunfish. The offender was not convicted for"conspiracy with intent to distribute" (dealing!). It clearly states in your first post that lessor sentences are given if the first time offender charged gives info.to be found useful. It will be good for you to finish school first.You dont seem to understand that I agree with you on most points here. This law only needs some fine tuning or prosecuting attorneys who have no agenda towards the young citizens and or thier families.
I understand what you are...
Back to page topI understand what you are saying. However my thinking was conveluted. My thoughts are that we should not take info given by your "sunfish". Your "sunfish should have been put into treatment. Not jail. Your "sunfish" and all the other "sunfish" out there think that they can get off by "rolling" over on someone else. This is a huge problem in America. Without the "sunfish" the"walleye" could not opperate!
Just for your INFO I will have a BA in 5 months. I finished school already with an AA in CJ. Its not that I misunderstand I just don't see why your defending your "sunfish", you should be more concerned as to why he/she is not in drug treatment. You should be complaing to the county no me.
read again the judge refused...
Back to page topread again the judge refused saying he couldnt justify spending the tax payers money!the "sunfish" qaulified on a rule "25" and was a tax payer for 5yrs. so the concern here is "WHY" wouldnt a judge allow drug treatment.
congradulations for your own acomplishments by graduating in 5 mos.
randay91, I was commenting...
Back to page topranday91, I was commenting on the first post under your story of drug epidemic. the post clearly stated he(sunfish) was eligable for a rule 25 and was refused. that sunfish requested and was approved by the county for drug treatment to only have a judge deny his right to medical care because he couldnt "justify" spending the tax payers dollars when in real life the"sunfish" had paid his yax's for 5yrs to the same county. I clearly believe there is a problem here with the judges and prosecutors. seems the sunfish got robbed by his own county.The sunfish was even going to help rid the community of an evil doer that could have eliminated a soarce to find drugs to use and make the process of recovery worse because he knows where to get it. but all the county did for sunfish was throw him away and leave the bigger dealer to sell to everyone elses children.how did sunfish start his drug use and where and who sold it to him?most drug users self medicate because of mental health and do not have the means once eneligable for parents healthcare and salaries not enough to afford health care. So the drug dealers win, county keeps the tax payers dollars, and the sunfish gets thrown away!and to think sunfish payed for county services with tax's, drugs with money earned from weak paying employment and no health care. welcome to america where by law the county can recieve yet not give.Seems all this county did was knowingly allow a drug dealer to continue business as usual, deny a tax payers right to county services, and lost tax revenue dollars by just throwing away a human being. all should be so proud of these countys judges and prosecuters ways of problem solveing they are doing such a disservice to those who paid them. lets thank them for a job well undone. but they can rest knowing if they need healthcare they wont deny themselves because the tax payers let them and pay them for it. I would think that the drugdealers and the judges and prosecuters form there own union they both take the tax payers money and devistate them in the end. what did this user do so bad to deserve prison? self medicat, be with the wrong people, get arrested (deservingly)work a job pay tax's request mental health and want to do the right thing and turn in his dealer to stop this problem he has and gain self esteem by thinking he did the right thing?I fail to find te logic behind his fate makers. I have read in the local paper under courts this same type of crime and have never seen a prison sentence. it was always jail time served a fine and fee's probation for a determened time and "MANDATORY TREATMENT PROGRAM" submit dna and no use. and some of them I have read were more than first time offenders. sunfish had "0" prior offences of any kind. he was a first time offender.
I think something is fishy here. and it dosnt smell right to me. I think the northerns (judge&prosc) and the walleyes are feeding off the small panfish of meeker. and destroying the enviorment. Just what is this county using for bait? lots of lakes around maybe we should ask those fishermen( citizens) I know someone knows . I happen know a bait shop with a wise old fisherman who claims he knows.
Well...I have to adamantly...
Back to page topWell...I have to adamantly defend the judges. Judges hands are tied completly when it comes to sentencing because again of Mandatory sentencing and mandatory minimums. This is in the hands of the prosecutors.
As far as the medical assistance thing is I agree with you 100% I feel personally that we should be spending tax money on funding people who want to go through treatment and better themselves! I think it is a shame. (I have my glasses on this time to re-read your previous posting here...i think I misunderstood what you were writting :)I think it is a shame that your "sunfish" was denied MA.
I think however you need to quit slamming Meeker county agencies for this because they only can do what is whithin their power....legislators are the ones that prescribe the guidelines that meeker county follows. Hey I work my rear off at a low paying job to put myself through school...I have two small boys...and my fiance works a very good job but faces layoff about 5 months out of the year...we are not addicts we are just a regular family who needs help with healthcare..yet we cannot get it either. It does not seem fair when you look at the larger picture...but I do not place blame with meeker county...I know that they are just doing their job too, they have guidelines they need to follow dictated by state legislation on income guidelines....
If an addict really wants help...there are plenty of community based resources that are free. Addiction is a really hard thing to beat. A good family support system and the support of programs such as NA and AA are great places to start.
Right now in the Corrections area there is many advocates advocating for changes such as a less punitive approach to the corrections system and a more rehibilitative approach...it just takes time.
I think Civil servant just...
Back to page topI think Civil servant just has a serious vendeta with Meeker county and will jump on anything to slam them.
Randay1 "sunfish" wasnt...
Back to page topRanday1 "sunfish" wasnt denied help from county he was approved. the judge made the decision to with hold. And Civil servant is not slamming the county. I know what meeker county has done to them and the FBI was here then too. and when it involves your family only then can you even begin to understand. Civil servant knows the law. its more like FEDERAL CIVIL SERVANT! for over 30yrs. remember you havnt got that important piece of paper yet .civil servant has.And served this country to give you the liberty's you have today .Civil servant was hand chosen by president Regan to hold there position within the federal gov to keep this country safe and for many lives to be kept safe within the position that they hold.Homeland security is connected to this position as well as Fed OSHA. You dont know the whole story. you are assumming a whole lot here. It will all come out from the FBI.Yes civil servant is on the same crusade that many others are .To stop the corruption.Civil servant isnt going to allow anymore injury's to there familyor anyone else's.you can complain about civil servant but I know they are head strong with taking actions not just posting to slam.Talk is cheap step up for your county. Civil servant is and you will be one of those who will reap the benefits. Civil servants family has already been damaged more then this single thing you read here. How is your slamming another poster any different. The pot calling the kettle black. you are not a lawyer you are a student. stay in school you are just as sarcastic as you claim of others. "sunfish" is a parent too! he was struggling too. He lost his home, employment,and child. It was all started by his meth using wife!She tried to murder him and his brother because he wanted a divorce because of meth use and infedelity on her part. Meeker county sheriffs dept didnt bother to even investigate.FBI knows this too. "sunfish's" wife has a 5th degree domestic assault charge from meeker on her ."sunfish" was also given a 2 yr OFPagainst her by the same judge who denied him of his rightfully obtained medical care. I was a foster parent for seven yrs. Soc. Serv. is nothing more than dazed and confused. the only thing I have seen them good at for at least 15yrs. is to insult and belittle those less fortunate. they are nothing more than in contempt of families . If you feel the need to come back and slam knock yourself out with this kind of attitude towards those you dont agree with does not make you right either. just overbearing and rude. I hope your attitude changes before you deal with any public security's seems you have a postal impulse here. Instead of rushing threw the post put your glass's on and reread again. I think you just skim thru get bit's and pieces before you truly decifer what is realy written.Are you in a hurry to try to prove something that you havnt spent all the time in school needed to learn all of the correct answers too .a student isnt a expert. civil servant is a professional and holds a security clearence that even you as a educated BA holder would never clear. Civil Servant is the good guy here. Not the bad administration running this county. Civil servants mission is to help clean up this county. And to salute all citizens and soldiers protecting this country.Civil Servants leval with in the federal gov is higher than that of a Brigadire General."sonfish" wasnt an addict either but was willing to do treatment to prove he was willing to do anything to keep his child safe.only to have soc. serv. place the child in care and to be returned 11 days later with a broken arm by foster parents. by the way soc. serv. investigated " sunfish" tried to claim "sunfish injured child" child was in my care 2wks before sunfishs mother requested a chips to help protect grandchild from mothers actions."sunfish" was set up by someone else to get out of the crime, Soc. Serv. never notified anyone of childs injury. a note was found inside diaperbag by grandmother,grandmother took child to private hospital that specialist in ortho. and had this documented by hospital staff......let us know what crow pie tastes like civil servant will be serving.......
It is very important to feel...
Back to page topIt is very important to feel the way that you and civil servant do, and I agree with what you have said about corruption and so forth. However it appears that you judge the whole system….ranging from social services down to everyone within the Meeker County Sheriffs office. Is it fair to cast judgment on every individual? One bad apple out of the bunch does not require damnation of the entire lot.
no it dosnt but untill...
Back to page topno it dosnt but untill proven otherwise "no" one should be trusted! "sunfish" is innocent too. Why is he in prison and child with drug addict mother who also was diagnosed with mod dangerous to self and others.suisidle found to be a perjurer by sharon dicke and sheriffs dept inregaurds to claiming herself to be victom to a kandiyohi judge after she pled guilty to the charges in meeker. also took up space in battered womens shelter.Sharon Dicke is the one who told me she was going to have her charged with perjury. now that child is in her mothers unstable hands. The depts that serve and protect dont do it one employee at a time they are a team as a whole when one member fails they all do because the "chain" has been weakened. so how is one to decifer the bad apple when all it takes is one to make the whole bushel stink?much like sunfish sits innocently in prison, county employees will have to as well..I understand your point about everyone .that is more than likly true.But you are not the victom, the victom cannot trust anyone, at least untill this matter is brought to light. Victoms can be very damaged emotionaly,dispare is not a good feeling not to mention lost funding and time. including many other things you do not know. How can anyone realy expect them to?but they themselves are entitaled to there voice here too!
Happy Easter..today is a day...
Back to page topHappy Easter..today is a day of rebirth. I think it is time for all to stop a minute and forgive ourselves and others here and let this day serve us to remember our soldiers who have and are now serving this country. Include them in your prayers as our family will pray for peace and forgiveness and saftey for all.
I think as a community we...
Back to page topI think as a community we also need to pray that when the indictments come down on the Sheriff and his henchmen that our Meeker County Commissioners have enough sense to realize that NO ONE in the Meeker County Sheriff's Department should go into a top administration position. Just because someone misses the boat the first time, doesn't mean that it won't come back to pick them up!
Our Meeker County Commissioners next election results will most likely be affected by their choices or lack of choices involving all of this corruption!
Just something to think about!!!