POLL: Should A Judge Sentence Someone to Read Bible?
South Carolina judges can't arbitrarily add to a person's sentence, but if the defendant doesn't object it's not an issue.
In a rare case, a South Carolina judge has sentenced a woman to eight years in prison, substance abuse counseling and to read the Bible.
Cassandra Tolley, whose drunken driving seriously injured two people, is thankful for the task, her attorney told Rock Hill Herald.
A USC law professor said a judge can't arbitrarily add something to a sentence, but if the accused consents it's OK.
So give us your opinion. Do you believe a judge should sentence people to read the Bible? Tell us how you really feel in the comments section.
Ken
10:11 am on Monday, July 2, 2012
Sentencing someone to read ANY religious text is a violation of that person's constitutional right of freedom of religion. A judge would have to be a complete idiot to do such a thing and should be removed from the bench.
Elizabeth Putman
11:04 am on Monday, July 2, 2012
well what about all these people who voluntarily put a drug in their system then expect family and the system to coddle them when they cheat steal lie get food stamps free medical what about us that actually work and take care of ourselves
JoSCh
10:29 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
This may surprise you Elizabeth Putman, but not every news story is about how the poor are stealing from you personally.
Fisher
10:35 am on Monday, July 2, 2012
Change the headline: "Judge orders man to read Koran." There'd be incredible outrage.
JoSCh
10:30 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
And after 24 hours there is no Republican response to this. Hypocrisy much?
Cookies Mom
10:57 am on Monday, July 2, 2012
I am for whatever keeps drunks from getting behind the wheel. Read the article, people; if she had objected, the judge could not order it!!!!!!!!!!
JoSCh
10:25 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
You don't think the 8 years in prison will keep her from getting behind the wheel, but reading the Bible will? And you think other people should read the article?
reg
10:58 am on Monday, July 2, 2012
A judge isn't supposed to do that, but if the defendant doesn't contest that part of the sentence, that's sort of like saying he/she agreed with it and accepted it.
Robert Kelly
2:48 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
This poll is ridiculous. These are the only two choices? What idiot would want to antagonize the judge at sentencing and object? The issue is the appropriateness of what the judge added to the sentence. Judges should know better! They do not represent a theocracy!