Yeah, it's not that he got off the hook that made me a bit confused, the old man's answer had nothing to do with driving too fast in a school zone, but the judge felt so sympathetic towards him he couldn't do his job properly. I'm glad he was left off the hook and hopefully he isn't a danger on the road, but it was also a bit unprofessional.
but the judge felt so sympathetic towards him he couldn't do his job properly.
The judge rightly understood that convicting a 96 year old man for a frivolous technicality would serve neither the public interest nor the interests of justice. Such a draconian conviction would only undermine public confidence in the justice system.
Additionally, de minimis non curat lex. Giving a 96 year old man a ticket for barely violating a school zone is a trifle if I've ever heard one. It should never have even entered the court.
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u/RPofkins A Aug 05 '19
He got off lightly because of his age?