SUPREME IRONY THAT A JUDGE IMPOSED NO CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE A BOY HAD NEVER HAD ANYONE IMPOSE CONSEQUENCES: “AFFLUENZA” DEFENSE

Many years ago, a local judge would schedule all of his child support cases on the same day. The court room was packed with destitute men who had no means to pay their child support. The Judge would routinely hear the first case and send the man to jail. A few defendants would leave the courtroom and pay their child support out in the hall. The Judge would send the second defendant to jail. Suddenly 1/3 of the audience of destitute men emptied into the hall and found cash in their pockets. A third man went to jail. The courtroom emptied. The Judge had to try no more cases.

The word was clear in Hinds County in those early ‘80‘s days that you would go to jail if you did not pay child support. Perhaps the Judge went too far, as some appeals began to water down his technique, BUT CHILD SUPPORT WAS PAID!

Every case has to stand on it’s own merits and there are certainly times for mercy, but really, “ Affluenza” as a defense to jail time?! Does it really make sense that a person gets to avoid consequences for the mere fact that none have ever been imposed? I’ll add this personal note: I was not a kid who did much wrong, because I was the beneficiary of great parents, and one of the things my father told me was, “If you ever get caught by the police, DON’T CALL ME.” That sent a clear message.