Frank Clark Sentenced to 1 year probation for stealing laptop

Pretty much any way you slice it, he probably did something pretty dumb.

Much easier to find large sums of cash in short periods of time when you play in the SEC.

/Newton'd 

I think this is actually a light sentence in the grand scheme of things. He was charged under the Home Invasion statute. People go to prison for that. If someone broke into my home (whether it's a house or my dorm room) I'd definitely want that guy going to prison. Maybe the facts aren't the same as your stereotypical house burgalar, but Frank should feel lucky he gets probation and gets to keep this off his record. Hopefull he makes the most out of it.

Eh - he can probably sell a few laptops to generate the cash.

When I was living w football players they got a monthly stipend of, I think, $360 each month. Assuming that has inflated since its been a few years, then that is a good start. Remember every single meal is covered in training table in season so they don't need that money for any school related expense including groceries. As for the rest of the $ I don't know.

It was my understanding that Hoke took care of Clark's football-punishment in the form of the suspension for the Alabama game (as well as other, non-public measures). You'd think that if Hoke's judgment was contingent on the findings of the court, he wouldn't have punished Clark prior to his conviction.

I could be wrong, but it's my understanding that he was not found guilty necessarily. Under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA) the charges are dismissed so long as Clark succesfully completes probation. 

In my opinion, this is squarely in the dumb sh*t kids do category. It's unfortunate that the value of the object in question made this a felony, otherwise it's still just one poor decision (that we know of I guess). He's got a chance to redeem himself, and that's a win win for everyone. If he screws up again, I have no problem bringing the hammer of the law (and interwebs) down on him.

If you "know we don't have all the details" then why express an opinion contrary to those that have all the details? Climb down off the horse and notice there is a kids future at stake not just the rep of the university. Perhaps a kids future is deserving of all the details.

Holmes Youth Trainee Act, which is part if the "Diversion" program, I can tell you in all likelihood that he probably did get some community service as well as the probationary period.

If he doesn't pay in time, he's deemed to have violated his probation. That means a judge could toss him in jail or the crime might appear on his record (which it's not doing right now.) I bet Clark gets it all paid off somehow (cause you never want to take your chances with a probation violation) but usually a judge will give you a couple chances on probation before he really throws the book at you. 

a court has the option to defer payment and/or set up a payment plan. It all depends on the individual's circumstances. A court may compel a defendant to get a job in cases where a defendant is capable of working and nothing, other than laziness, is preventing him/her from paying the bills. I have seen courts compel defendants to get pretty remedial jobs (pizza delivery, stocking, supermarket). The court ultimately wants the fine to be paid so it is not in the court's interest to lock the person up.  The stick/jail time is utilized in cases where the defendant is just being completely flagrant about his responsibilities. I am not sure how it would work with Clark, given that he is a student athlete and, consequently, there may be limits in place as to how many hours per week he can work, if at all.

In my experience with my friends, as long as the judge sees that you are making progress in paying the fines and that you are a generally decent human being, they'll be pretty lenient with the payment plan.  The Clerk of Courts will usually let them pay a minimum a month for an extended period of time (~6 months).  Remember, the court is just happy to get their money and it costs them more to keep bringing the sucker in and potentially jailing him than simply waiting for the payments a little longer.  Most people who are fined by the courts just brush it off and become "frequent flyers"... basically they won't pay the fine and don't care if you lock them up, so what is the court going to do to enforce it? 

What is wrong is that Fitz got 10 months probation, not ten years.

10 years probation for a first time DUI offender is like, tribal council legislation. it's inhumane and such a punishment simply cannot exist.  

Not knowing the circumstances, I can't say. In a typical case like this, it wouldn't surprise me if the defendant were drunk and/or high. However, it may also be judicial boilerplate.