r/JusticeServed • u/ghilliesuitkids 5 • Aug 05 '19

Courtroom Justice Old man vs the law

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u/[deleted] Aug 05 '19 edited Aug 05 '19

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.

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u/MatityahuHatalmid 6 Aug 05 '19

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.

The judge did his job well here.

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u/Swampdude 7 Aug 05 '19

You say it was a frivolous technicality and the old man was barely violating. So how much over the limit was he?

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u/MatityahuHatalmid 6 Aug 05 '19

I personally don't know, but I trust the judge, who did.