Local | I'm Surrounded By Idiots

I’m guessing the phrase “equal protection” doesn’t mean anything to you… Part 2

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Kaine, GOP united on traffic fines:

Virginians will have to put up with new, stiff fines for bad drivers at least until early next year.

[…]

They’re now immune because Kaine and lawmakers this year agreed the fines would be difficult to collect from non-Virginians — a feature of which some legislators said they were unaware.

Read the legislation I’m voting on? Parish the thought!

“Being for driver safety is a good thing,” said Kaine. “We need to study it in a deliberate way before we rush into it.”

What the hell kind of line is that? Is someone going to say they’re for bad driver safety? I’m sure these fines are going to slow people down on I-95.

Kaine and Howell, accompanied by transportation and safety advocates as well as the Republican majority leaders of the House and Virginia Senate, emphasized that Virginians need not fear the controversial fines if they drive safely.

Here’s hoping all of you get tickets, you corrupt asses.

Howell and Senate Majority Leader Walter A. Stosch, R-Henrico, suggested that bloggers, the news media and a confusing overview of the law on the Virginia Supreme Court Web site have contributed to public misunderstanding.

“Those damn bloggers! Exposing our actions like that!” Where have I heard that before?

“I don’t feel we dropped the [public relations] ball,” Howell said. “This has been a storm that no one anticipated.”

Because someone found out about it. You thought you could hide in your offices, vote on bills, and no one would notice what’s in them.

The unlikely display of bipartisanship at a state Capitol news conference was aimed at quelling a spreading voter revolt, largely via the Internet, that potentially threatens some legislators in fall elections for the House and Senate.

Unfortunately for me, no one is running against McDougle or Wittman.

[…]

A growing number of legislators, most of them Republicans, have urged Kaine to order the General Assembly into special session this summer to revise the penalties, some of which could cost drivers thousands of dollars over three years. Felony offenses, such as reckless driving, carry a $3,000 fine.

I thought you wanted them fix, Kaine, you lying bastard. You just want people to totally forget about it by next year. If there’s a problem, why wait?

House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, told reporters he believed the Virginia courts would rule that it is constitutional for the state to limit the penalties to Virginians. Griffith, a lawyer, who — like Albo — handles traffic cases, said the new law could cut into his business.

“We’re going to tell our clients, ‘Hey, I’m not going to challenge its constitutionality. You may want another lawyer,'” said Griffith. “It’s going to cost us a few clients.”

You’re so full of it. They’re going to hire you in the hope of being found not guilty or negotiating a plea deal for an amended charge you weasels.

Here’s hoping the people that voted for this get their asses kicked in November.

Justice in Caroline? Nope, just nolle prosequis.

From The Caroline Progress (print edition): Circuit Court–July 10 [emphasis mine throughout]:

Eric Childs, of Ruther Glen, was charged with four counts distribution of cocaine from separate incidents on Sept. 13, 2006, Sept. 20, 2006 and Nov. 6, 2006. He was arrested on April 17 following a direct indictment by Caroline County Grand Jury. Two of the charges were nolle prosequi. Childs pleaded guilty to the other two felony charges and is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on Sept. 25.

Paul David Ferguson, of Ruther Glen, was charged with felony credit card fraud from an incident on April 22, 2006. He was arrested on May 5, 2006. The charge was nolle prosequi.

Saleem R. Stevens, of unknown address, was charged with felony possession of controlled substance from an incident on Dec. 2, 2004. He was arrested on Jan. 9 following a direct indictment by Caroline County Grand Jury. The charge was nolle prosequi.

From The Caroline Progress (print edition): General District Court–July 13 [emphasis mine throughout]:

Edward Carl Pinkney, of Woodford, was found guilty of misdemeanor trespassing from an incident on March 10. He was arrested on March 25 by Caroline County Deputy Ketchem. Pinkney was originally charged with felony burglary and grand larceny, but the burglary charged was amended and the grand larceny charge was nolle prosequi. He was sentenced to 12 months with 12 months suspended on the amended charge.

Donald Grabenstein, of Rappahannock Academy, was charged with assault and battery from an incident on June 17. The charge was nolle prosequi.

Ernest W. Deviers, Jr., of Fredericksburg, was charged with assault from and incident on June 17. The charge was nolle prosequi.

Nice to see that Harvey Latney chooses not to prosecute drug dealers, credit card defrauders, grand larcenizers, and assault and batterers. Am I the only one that thinks there needs to be a change in this county?

Former University of Mary Washington president’s trial delayed

From Fredericksburg.com: Frawley’s trial posponed [sic]:

Ousted University of Mary Washington President William Frawley won’t be tried in Fredericksburg tomorrow on a DUI charge as scheduled.

Fredericksburg Common wealth’s Attorney Charles Sharp said the reason for the delay is that the prosecution is still awaiting Frawley’s blood test results from Mary Washington Hospital.

Frawley is also charged in the city with refusing a Breathalyzer test.

He said he expects Frawley’s appearance at Fredericksburg General District Court to be rescheduled for sometime in September.

Frawley was fired at the end of April after he was charged with driving under the influence twice in two days.

The first charge occurred April 10 in Fairfax County, where he flipped a university-owned vehicle. His court date at Fairfax County General District is scheduled for Sept. 21.

The second occurred the next day in Fredericksburg, after a woman reported seeing him driving in a car with a missing front tire.

How awfully convenient. Three months and they’re still waiting for blood test results? That’s a real go-getter there as Commonwealth’s Attorney.

I’m guessing the phrase “equal protection” doesn’t mean anything to you…

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Kaine: fees only for Va. motorists:

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s office was behind the exclusion of out-of-state motorists from new hefty driving fees that have generated considerable outrage around the state.

Republican members of the General Assembly have taken most of the heat, but their original transportation bill in this year’s General Assembly session included out-of-state motorists.

[…]

“We feel Virginians’ concerns,” said Hall, who added that Kaine would work with the assembly next year in trying to find a way to include out-of-state motorists.

[…]

The fees cover not only serious driving offenses but many misdemeanors. For instance, a reckless-driving conviction mandates $1,050 in fees over a three-year period — as does a misdemeanor conviction for failure to give a proper signal.

Any felony conviction results in $3,000 in fees, in three annual payments, on top of court-imposed penalties. Most misdemeanors, including driving with “below-standard tires,” amount to $900.

The fees have stirred outrage and an online petition drive that has garnered close to 100,000 signatures. Petitioners appear most upset that the fees apply only to in-state motorists.

[…]

Albo and others have been promoting bad-driver fees for three years. Kaine endorsed them last year and again this year in his State of the Commonwealth address.

What a bunch of geniuses. I hope, Governor, that you have set aside some money for the (hopefully) soon to be filed federal lawsuit. Not to mention, that the fines that would normally go to the local jurisdiction will probably be suspended by the judge now. Nothing like a Northern Virginia/Hampton Roads money grab.

For those who didn’t know, Delegate David B. Albo (R-Fairfax), is a lawyer, and co-founder of a law firm that specializes in the defense of traffic offenses. No conflict of interest there, eh?

Caroline Deputies Catch Internet Predator

From WTVR CBS 6 in Richmond [photo credit: Ibid]:

Caroline County Deputies catch a 21-year-old man trying to solicit sex from a teenager over the internet. And James Street admits he did it to CBS 6 News.

“I’m just a young guy who was kinda bored at home and you know nothing really to do and got on a chat room,” James Street says.

“I’m so upset at myself. I know better and it just sucks,” he went on to say.

He’s knows better? To do it or get caught?

Caroline Sheriff Tony Lippa says Street thought he was talking to a 13-year-old girl, but it was really a Caroline Deputy. After two hours of sexually explicit chat, deputies set up a meeting time and place. Street never showed up, but the sheriff says they had enough to arrest him anyway. It’s against state law to try to solicit sex from a teen over the internet, and a felony.

“I’m not a predator. I’m just a young kid who made a mistake. I mean it’s not like, it’s not like I was really going to pursue anything,” Street tells CBS 6.

You’re not a predator? You’re a 21-year-old that attempted to solicit a 13-year-old. I think your picture is in the dictionary under the word “predator”.

He’s charged with indecent liberties and using a computer to solicit sex from a minor. Even worse, Street works at a local camp with teens. He’s free on bond.

Good job Caroline Sheriff’s Office.

Hat tip: Tom James’s Caroline County, VA JUSTICE Blog

As a bonus, here’s his interview with Jon Burkett of WTVR: [googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3216419653316809793]