Criminal Sentencing 101
By Wyatt Earp | February 24, 2009
People sometimes ask me, “Hey Wyatt, why are you so cynical and jaded about your job?” Well, the short answer is because I get my jollies by being a sarcastic bastard. The long answer can be explained by this story.
See this fine, upstanding individual on the left? His name is Frederick Baynes, and he robs banks for a living. He was pretty good at it, too, until we snagged his ass in 2007. Robbing a bank is a federal offense, so when the feebs took over, we figured it would be the last time Freddie would ever see the light of day. I mean, federal prison sentences are usually anything but lenient, right?
Read on:
A 42-year-old Philadelphia man has been sentenced to 10½ years in federal prison after admitting to 11 bank robberies.
Frederick Baynes (shown above in bank surveillance video) pleaded guilty last December 1st to a string of holdups in various sections of the city between July and October of 2007.
In addition to the prison sentence, Baynes was also ordered to make restitution of more than $20,000. (H/T – KYW1060)
God bless America, huh? Baynes was federally convicted on 11 counts of bank robbery, and he was sentenced to less than one year per incident. Now, before you perk up at that, consider this: The best case scenario – from a law enforcement standpoint – is that he will serve only half that time before he is up for parole. Half. Maybe.
So, what does a law enforcement professional like myself think about this? Well, I think it sucks eggs, but it goes further than that. After a while police officers, detectives, and the general public start to ask themselves, “What’s the point?” Why should we even bother arresting these tools if the judges are only going to slap them on the wrist? It doesn’t make a damned bit of sense.
I am used to Philly judges dropping the ball when it comes to sentencing. The fact that the feebs are also doing it now is simply infuriating.
Topics: Philly, The Job | 9 Comments »
February 24th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Just wait until your governor tries to pull what ours is trying to get through. Early release for non violent offenders. One day off their sentence for everyday they behave. Obviously they couldn’t behave in the first place, or they wouldn’t be there.
Years ago we fought for and got Truth in Sentencing, meaning they served their full time, no parole no good behaviour release. Now this turd wants to do this, to save the state some money.
How is it going to save the state any money when our law enforcement officers are more than likely going to have to rearrest on them on something else soon after they get out? Then add in new court costs, and so on., Grrrrrrrrrowls, I hate politicians.
(sorry for the rant)
February 24th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Federal sentencing is not what people think. However, Fed time is 85%, with 15% good time. Therefore, a Fed sentence of 10 1/2 means he’ll serve 8, which is equivalent to a 16 year bit in most states.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Just shoot the fargin’ icehole. “He appeared to have a weapon. I was feared for my life.”
February 24th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
wasFebruary 25th, 2009 at 10:52 am
The Feds are the problem.
February 25th, 2009 at 10:54 am
The only problem with that AJ, is that the same judge who will let a murderer go, because his grandma was mean to him as a child, will fry an officer, on even the bare hint of a rumor that the shooting wasn’t justified. By bare hit, I mean the thugs grandma testifies about how good a boy he was.
This is why comic books are popular, we want strong men, who simply ignore the liberals, and do what must be done. Too bad the real world just doesn’t work that way.
February 25th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Yeah, “Make my day” doesn’t work in the real world. At least not without a lot of paperwork.
February 25th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
You’re assuming he’s ever found… He’s simply a “fugitive. We are uncertain as to his whereabouts.”
February 26th, 2009 at 12:15 am
San Diego, 20, 25 years ago.
Stakeout of a market.
LEO witnessed the hommie cap the clerk.
Before the reports were dry Sumdood was on the corner.
Two good men said f###’it and quit.
I hired them after that and they made it to management and retired to good money.
You tell me!