Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests Tact in court?

Hey everyone,

I received an interesting call from the State Attorney's Office yesterday. They explained to me that the drunk driver who hit me and ran from the scene has broken house arrest, and is now in jail pending a court date on Monday. Unfortunately, I don't know terribly much about what the state of Florida does to folks who break house arrest which was offered in a plea bargain.

The story on what happened - On 27 August 2002 at 2am, I was getting a jumpstart from the local friendly Florida Highway Patrolman/ State Trooper, when a car going 70 mph slammed into the left rear corner of my car and kept going until it came apart on the roadway. I was between my car and the FHP cruiser at the time of the impact. The trooper caught up with the driver of the vehicle who had a BAC of .281. There were roughly nine felony counts from the incident, but due to a plea bargain, the woman was sentenced with house arrest for two years and probation. She was sentenced three weeks ago. Up to that point, she went through three attorneys, claiming she was not responsible for this.

At one court hearing prior to her decision to accept a plea bargain, I caught her pointing at me and laughing at my limp. Because of what happened, I now have arthritis in my legs at the age of 21, and have a wonderful neurological disorder - epilepsy with grand mal seizures. I don't want to sound bitter and despiccable, but I really want to go so I can see her in that flashy orange jumpsuit and shackles. After the incident, she was in jail for all of five hours. Because of this latest issue, she has been in since the 2 December 2003. I honestly hope that she gets some time in "pound me in the ..." prison so I can sleep at night. I have to live with the effects of the incident until the day I die, she had close to fifteen months without any form of punishment. Granted, I would appreciate having close to fifteen months without punishment in the event that I commit a crime, but something tells me I won't be so fortunate. Then again, had she not been bailed out, the case would have gone quicker. So much for a speedy criminal justice system.

Anyway, is it normal for me to feel that I will get joy from seeing my assailant in shackles and the orange jumpsuit? Is it unreasonable for me to have this strong desire for prison time? Am I a bad person for finding joy in the person violating house arrest resulting in jail time? I have little faith in the justice system, as the Prosecutor's don't seem to give a crap, and the judges, while fair, are a little too accomodating to some folks.

- Ian in Tampa
99 SE Sport T-Red MTX 60k

though i could rant all day about this, ill keep it fairly short. in one word, NO. you should not feel bad about this at all. i would not feel sorry for her one bit. she decided to break house arrest, get drunk, and drive. she deserves everything she gets. no one put her in this situation but herself. no one should feel sorry for her. she is the one that is at fault, she deserves to be punished, and you should want that to happen. it is in no way abnormal to feel happy when she gets punished, b/c that is some small form of retribution for what she did to you. eye for an eye all the way (well almost), although she doesnt have to live with lifelong problems from this incident.

if i were you, i would be laughing my @$$ off when she got sentanced and had to march out of the courtroom in shackles.

Have you considered filing a civil lawsuit. That way she won't have a house to be in house arrest in anymore. Sometimes the only way to punish somebody is to sieze what little they have as assets.

It would be good if they would put the drunk driver on a chain gang. At worst she will be in an air conditioned prison with tv. You need to file a lawsuit against her. Have you filed a lawsuit yet? Where I live they have a time limit of one year to file the lawsuit. After that you have 10 years to prepare the paperwork and go to court.

I already have a civil lawsuit in process. It's been a horrible ongoing battle. Since she works for a dollar store, there isn't much that she has, although her insurance company has not been cooperating with regards to the property damage caused by her actions. I remember when I spoke with them, and they claimed that they didn't pay for property damage, despite that being a mandatory coverage in the state of Florida. Here's to hoping something happens with that insurance company.

-Ian in Tampa
99 SE Sport T-Red MTX 60k

Pass your story around local/state/national news outlets, Your government reps local/state/federal. Contact MADDD - Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. SUE em. Make people so sick of seeing you , they do something. Squeeky wheel and all.

I think if she broke house arrest and that was a condition of her plea agreement that they MAY be able to recharge her with ALL counts, and if they are able to I bet they won't offer another plea agreement!
She will grow up sooner or later, hopefully before she kills someone!
I would be just as mad if it was someone I loved, don't apologize or feel bad about your anger, just don't let it control your life!

what u feel isnt wrong and u seem to have a control over your anger which is good. I have alot of respect for you dealing with your issues now and not hunting her down. God bless you and i hope she gets hit by a bus.
btw our court systems suck.
i hate hearing stories of innocent ppl who did nothing and suffer their entire life, while the idiots get away.
oh well
/rant end