Wealthy? Buy yourself out of a lengthy prison sentence for vehicular homicide

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-levin-hit-and-run-2-20110603,0,6859365.story

By Tonya Alanez,, Tribune Newspapers

9:27 p.m. CDT, June 3, 2011

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The scion of a wealthy Chicago-area family pleaded guilty in a South Florida court Friday to killing two British businessmen with his Porsche but avoided prison after agreeing to pay an undisclosed sum to the widows.

Ryan LeVin, 36, will spend two years under house arrest in his parents' oceanside condominium.

The businessmen's widows supported the sentence, and their attorneys collected checks from LeVin immediately after Friday morning's hearing. LeVin spoke only at the judge's prodding and offered no apology during the proceeding, where he pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of a fatal crash and two counts of vehicular homicide.

"The need for restitution does outweigh the need for prison," Broward Circuit Judge Barbara McCarthy said.

[cali]

1. that is ghastly and maddening. wtf.

[Holden_C]

2. Justice is what you can afford in America

It has always been that way.

[John_Adams]

3. It sounds like this was a decision that was supported by the deceased's families.

[joshcryer]

5. The deceased's families can have a civil suit after the criminal suit.

And likely would've come off just as well. What's weird about this is the judge is just saying that the criminal aspect is irrelevant if he pays 'em off. This is mafia shit.

[exboyfil]

12. It may be that this Ne'er-do-well has no assets

The money came from hia family to compensate the victims. If he got convicted obviously it would have been name your price in civil court where only damages would have to be proved. The family had leverage upfront but not if the poor boy is convicted.

It seems the me that this is a case in which the needs of society comes first. It would be a shame that the families could not be compensated, but it is more important that justice is administered. Obviously like you indicate it looks like a banana republic when a different set of rules apply. It erodes the whole concept of justice and law.

Obviously another consideration is that this does nothing to keep this idiot off the road. Not only is he not punished for his actions, you don't even have the time in which he would be locked away to be sure of the public's safety.

I don't know if they elect their DAs and judges in that community, but, if they did, then the folks should be looking at replacing them. Your are right it is B.S.

[joshcryer]

4. How much was the judge paid?

This is bullshit.

[rurallib]

6. this guy is a real piece of work

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-heir-ryan-levin-charged-over-deaths-of-britons-1922576.html

At the time of the crash, LeVin, who has a record of more than 50 traffic offences, was on probation for a high-speed police chase in Chicago that left one police officer and two drivers hurt.

He also served six months in prison last year for violating his probation by failing to complete a drug treatment programme.

[trotsky]

7. Words fail. n/t

[sendero]

8. We are turning into.

.... a third world country at an alarming pace.

[geckosfeet]

9. Money as conscience. The wealthy are simply in another realm.

[Canuckistanian]

10. House arrest in an oceanside condominium. How horrible.

Sorry, I meant ridiculous.

[bahrbearian]

11. Sharia Law ?