NY Judge: Complain to Legislature if you don't like it

Friday, 11 April 2008 19:00

PROTECT members know the difference between a charity and a political lobby. They know that when the powerful and wealthy want a tax break and a warm feeling inside, they form charities.

But when they want to protect their "special interests," they get serious. There was another reminder of that fact this week from a frustrated and angry New York judge.

Judge Catherine Bartlett is presiding over the case of former prosecutor and PTA leader Beth Modica. Modica has admitted to sexually predatory crimes against teenage boys. News reports say she brought 15 and 16-year olds to her home for pool parties, supplying them with beer and marijuana. Prosecutors want to offer Modica a year in jail, followed by probation. Judge Bartlett balked at the plea bargain, suggesting instead that Modica should either agree to serve the maximum sentence of up to 4 years in prison or face a jury trial.

"The judge said [the public] should complain to the state Legislature or the governor rather than to her," reports the New York Daily News, if they disagree that "possession of a stolen credit card should have the same penalty as raping a child.... I don't make the laws."

Note on New York State Law:
130.25 Rape in the third degree ("statutory rape")
Class E Felony

165.45 Criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree (credit or debit card)
Class E Felony

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The National Association to Protect Children is a national, pro-child, anti-crime membership association. We are founded on the belief that our first and most sacred obligation as parents, citizens, and members of the human species is the protection of children from harm.

PROTECT is a bipartisan pro-child, anti-crime lobby whose sole focus is making the protection of children a top political and policy priority at the national, state and local level.

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