STANFORD RAPE

I know everybody is angry at the Judge in the Stanford rape case.

As a former defense attorney, I believe that judges should be more lenient in sentencing. I just want the leniency to apply to Black and Brown people as well.

Let me share with you the possible thinking of a judge.

Sentencing is done for punishment, to prevent further crimes, to show others what happens when they commit a similar crime, to keep dangerous criminals off the street, and to rehabilitate the criminal.

A young man with no criminal record is going to be extremely frightened regarding ANY jail time. Often, too much jail time just turns young men into lifetime criminals.

I thought that this particular young man had learned his lack of respect for women from his father. I am certain that the young man now understands that "20 minutes of action" can cause an entire lifetime of grief for both himself and for his victim.

I believe that this particular young man is unlikely to repeat his crime.

I think the total devastation of the young man's life is a real deterrent to other college males.

I am against the worst punishment he faces. A lifetime of registering as a sex offender will be a lifetime of not getting jobs, not getting education, and being unable to find a place to live. I believe that sex offenders should be able to get off the public list if they demonstrate years of living a responsible life, and if a psychologist determines that they are unlikely to reoffend.

I believe that the sentence was given in the hope that a promising young man will become rehabilitated, rather than become a lifetime criminal.

Studies show that a large percentage of campus sexual assault are perpetrated by the athletes. By isolating and idolizing athletes, we allow them to assume that they can treat women as women are treated in the HBO show about professional athletes. This has to stop. Any ideas on how to do that would be welcome.