OK Youth Sentence to 10 Years of Church Called Unconstitutional
November 22, 2012 10:55:49 am
A judge in Muskogee, Ok., sentenced a youth last week to attend church regularly for 10 years as a condition of probation for a driving-related manslaughter conviction. Judge Mike Norman, 67, had sentenced people to church before, but never for such a serious crime. Constitutional experts have condemned it as a flagrant violation of the separation of church and state, says the New York Times.
The American Civil Liberties Union will file a complaint with the state Council on Judicial Complaints. Defendant Tyler Alred, 17, was prosecuted as a youthful offender, giving the judge more discretion than in an adult case. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter for an accident last year, when he ran his car into a tree and a 16-year-old passenger was killed. Although his alcohol level tested below the legal limit, because he was under age he was legally considered to be under the influence of alcohol. Randall Coyne, a professor of criminal law at the University of Oklahoma, agreed that the judge’s church requirement was unconstitutional.
Posted by chae s. sone
Friday, November 23, 2012 02:29
Constitution Experts Denounce Oklahoma Judge’s Sentencing of Youth to Church
By ERIK ECKHOLM, NY Times.
Judge Mike Norman, in his Muskogee courtroom, seemed surprised by the scrutiny. “I sentenced him to go to church for 10 years because I thought I could do that,” he said.
JUSTICE ISSUE
The 17-year-old defendant, Tyler Allred, was prosecuted as a youthful offender, drunken driver, pleaded guilty to manslaughter for an accident last year, when he ran his car into a tree and a 16-year-old passenger was killed.
Although Mr. Allred told the court that he was happy to agree to church attendance and other mandates — including that he finish high school and train as a welder, and shun alcohol, drugs and tobacco for a year. By doing so, he is avoiding a 10-year prison sentence and has a chance to make a fresh start.
. Mr. Allred and his family already attend a church. The judge said he was surprised at the criticism. “I feel like church is important,” he said. “I sentenced him to go to church for 10 years because I thought I could do that.”
: “I think Jesus can help anybody. I know I need help from him every day.”
I respect the Judge who believes in the value of Christian faith. His ruling is good for the defendant, state and everyone.
Often some judges seem to dishonor the principles of judicial value system as revealed in the Rev. Won Tae Cha groups. (1, 2)
However, often abusive church leaders mislead the flocks
under “the separation shield.” Who can send the dishonest church leaders FROM THE CHURCH to prison? There should be a new revision of the separation of church and state, so that people could maintain good churches, chasing OUT the dishonest to prison accordingly.
God bless those who try to keep our churches in Jesus clean!
REFERENCE, READ GOOGLING:
1. In Good Faith: United Methodists win advertising award – In …
If so their churches are really spiritually … These are reflections of Rev. Chul Woo Chang’s morality allowing such character in "Jesus disguise” pray on the …
weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/faith/2009/10/united… – Cached
2. Three Ways To truly Rethink Church in NYC | Mike Oles III …
Three Ways To truly Rethink Church in NYC … the meeting Rev. Chul Woo Chang also … Rev. Chang’s mentor is so destructive to this church that his preaching …
mikeoles3.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/three-ways-to-really… – Cached
3. Sarah Palin’s Pastor Problem – Greg Laden’s Blog
Three Ways To truly Rethink Church in NYC ” The New … These are reflections of Rev. Chul Woo Chang’s morality allowing such character in “Jesus disguise” pray on …
4. Why is Hillary Neglecting Delegate-Rich Dallas County? – Page …
… Chul Woo Chang’s morality allowing such character in "Jesus disguise” pray on the pulpit out of our … Three Ways To truly Rethink Church in NYC " The New 6 …
www.dallasobserver.com/2008-02-21/news/why-is-hillary… – Cached