Score One for the Good Guys

Today I had the opportunity to see the verdict in State v. Mauricio Chavez (2007CF16182), a case I saw some of the testimony in last week. Chavez was charged with 3 counts of Sexual Battery of a Child Younger than 12, Lewd/Lascivious Molestation of a Child Younger than 12, L/L Molestation of a Child 12 or older, and Battery. The jury found the defendant guilty on all counts. Assistant State Attorney Ryan Vescio requested that Judge Roger McDonald wait to sentence Chavez until the victims can make an impact statement tomorrow morning. The judge told Chavez that he will be sentencing him to LIFE in prison without the possibility of parole.

Even though the impact statements will not change Chavez' sentence because the law requires a life without parole sentence, I am glad that the law requires that a victim have the opportunity to make these statements if they so choose. I hope the girls and their mother will find the healing they need and they'll be able to move forward with their lives, knowing that this man can never hurt them again.

"Stay Away From Drugs & Stupid Men"

I watched a woman, age 38, who was in trouble with the law for the first time in her life. She stood in the jury box, wearing a blue jail jumpsuit, shackles, and was pleading no contest to numerous felonies that arose from her involvement with a man that got her hooked on drugs. In the four cases, the charges included Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, Grand Theft (3cts), Theft, & Possession of Controlled Substance.

Judge Roger McDonald showed a kindness toward her that one doesn't often witness in court. Too many times, the plea process seems like an 18-wheeler barreling down the road - judges rattle through the questions at a rapid-fire pace, public defenders having had only a few moments to talk with their clients that morning, and "new" defendants sometimes bewildered by it all. This lady scored a minimum sentence of 52.5 months in the Department of Corrections for her crimes. Judge McDonald took several minutes to explain why sentencing guidelines were implemented in Florida and why he rarely varies from them. He encouraged her to take advantage of the substance abuse programs and other counseling that would be available to her in prison. And he told her he hopes she "stays away from drugs and stupid men."

I hope she does too.