That sentence was much higher than the government's recommendation (7 years) and the defense's (home confinement). You all know my feelings on this -- a judge should almost never go above a prosecutor's recommended sentence. That should be the ceiling in our adversary system. What do you all think?
UPDATE -- maybe I spoke too soon about the sentence. Here's Curt Anderson on the details of the hearing:
But Debra Villegas, 43, will probably serve far less time because of her extensive cooperation with prosecutors, who said it was likely they would seek a sentence reduction later. U.S. District Judge William Zloch also took the unusual step of allowing Villegas to remain free until June 24, 2011, so she can assist in the ongoing investigation of the now-defunct Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler firm.
Other off-the-chart sentences are being handed out. SFLawyers covers one here, where "the kingdom of God" was invoked.
The Daily Business Review has a fancy new website. It looks really good and is much more user friendly. Go check it out.
Time for the weekend. I need to go figure out my pick against Rump.
The SDFLA Blog is dedicated to providing news and notes regarding federal practice in the Southern District of Florida. The New Times calls the blog "the definitive source on South Florida's federal court system." All tips on court happenings are welcome and will remain anonymous. Please email David Markus at dmarkus@markuslaw.com
Motion for sentence reductions are bad of the system. A sentencing judge should be allowed to take a swing at a defendant without the gov't being able to back door the judge.
ReplyDeleteThrough this, the gov't retains the power and not the judge.Not cool.
Also, it rigs sentences. Judge goes big knowing the sentence will be reduced, and also puts fire in the belly of the defendant to chirp like a pig....
just ugly the whole way around.
study hard. Now we separate the men from the federal lawyers.
ReplyDeleteRepublican pot smokers need to take heed about candidate Jim Lewis. Jim Lewis is a Reublican candidate through and through. His credentials are Repulican, he will be a Republican attorney general.
ReplyDeleteThe Republican candidate for attorney general Pam Bondi is a hypocrite. She prosecuted possession of marijuana cases while her first husband was a known smoker. The hypocracy of her is disgusting.
Republican Pam Bondi is stoned if she thinks we don't see the hypocracy.
Vote for Jim Lewis, vote for a real Republican.