Judge bans teen from driving for life

[MindMover]

CRANSTON, R.I. – A Rhode Island lawmaker is claiming a judge went too far when he revoked a teen’s driver license for the rest of his life because he wanted to send a hard-line message to others about reckless driving in the state.

Chief Magistrate William R. Guglietta, who presides at Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal, sentenced 17-year-old Lyle Topa to the “most severe, most drastic penalty” the court could impose last week.

"I've had it,” said Guglietta, according to The Boston Herald. “The time has come for a change in our attitude towards our young people driving, and I hope this is the first step in accomplishing that goal.”

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http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/05/10584856-judge-bans-teen-from-driving-for-life?ocid=twitter

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Just who will keep watch on this teenager for the rest of his life...??

[unblock]

1. i wonder if chief magistrate william r. guglietta has a juvenile delinquent of his own at home.

generally i strongly applaud getting tough on drunk driving, i think we're WAY too lenient.

but perhaps we should start with adults with multiple dui convictions?

[obxhead]

2. Can you point out anywhere in that article

that said he was convicted of DUI?

Reckless yes, but I see nothing that said the driver was under the influence.

[unblock]

4. i'm not sure being sober helps his cause; but yes, it doesn't state that as a fact

it says they were at a party where alcohol was consumed and that he pled guilty to multiple charges.

it doesn't say if any of them was alcohol-related or if perhaps he pled guilty to non-alcohol-related charges to avoid a trial on alcohol-related charges.

so the article implies it, though as usual we're left to speculate as to the details.

[sharp_stick]

3. Meanwhile DUI in Rhode Island

remains a misdemeanor at least until the third conviction IIRC.

[Swede Atlanta]

5. Me thinks.......

someone will look at state law and see what guidelines exist for judges in these cases. If his sentence was within the state guidelines he will not be subject to further sanction or review. If he was outside the guidelines this will be overturned.

At any rate I think the legislature and or governor need to take appropriate action to remedy the situation.

I think the judge exceeded common logic and reason.