OZ23

March 12th, 2009 at 2:41 AM ^

I doubt he will get jail time being his first time in trouble, I've never heard of an OSU player get jail time with the same/worse charges then again they pry pay the court system more then the players(sarcasm). He'll pry just get some C.S, lets all hope anyways.

Joined: 12/28/2008

MGoPoints: 144

Seth

March 12th, 2009 at 8:30 AM ^

Sorry to anyone who worked in Student Legal Services in the past, but I've heard some horror stories from students who used one of these guys, all either alcohol- or pot-related. One case in particular the SLS lawyer completely botched the case and had the judge thinking three kids caught with an infinitesimal amount of weed in Markley had been distributing it. Now this Lewis guy is telling the Michigan Daily that his client has a drinking problem, and is getting treated differently because he's a football player. I wonder if he'd just be better off going to the law quad and grabbing the first kid with a frisbee.

Joined: 10/14/2008

MGoPoints: 149219

Ernis

March 12th, 2009 at 11:33 AM ^

I think the "alcohol problem" Lewis referred to was the problem of legality, not addiction. As for getting treated differently, you make it sound like he is getting exceptions, but Lewis said, "Just because he’s a football player doesn't mean he’s different than anybody else;" implying that Stonum is being treated unfairly ... not just "different." Anyway, I have only a positive story re: SLS. My landlords tried to illegally withhold from my security deposit, so I sued them. Settled out of court for the full amount +$80. I advise any students who don't get their full security deposit back to consult with SLS. The law is in your favor, mostly.

Joined: 09/23/2008

MGoPoints: 11480

hennedance

March 12th, 2009 at 11:55 AM ^

as 93 days in jail, $300 fines, and the C.S. is the exact same maximum sentence that M.I.Ps carry. Nobody, ecspecially first time offenders of the Stonum sort, sees anything close to that. I would also imagine, as I unfortunatley was charged with something very similar to this, that there is a first-time offender program that he is eligible for. It would carry a fine, C.S., and alcohol classes and the charge would be expunged from his record. But no way will there jail time. Although if its that time of month for the judge...he could get the chair. Who knows

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 467

Tater

March 12th, 2009 at 12:37 PM ^

Having tended bar for years, and thus having known a lot of drunks, and also having known a fair amount of police officers, it is my understanding that first time offenders are sentenced proportionate to the amount of contrition and respect they give the court and the officers who arrested them. Basically, from what I understand, things like that are noted in the case paperwork. Stonum didn't show a lot of respect for the court or the system when he showed up late. I am guessing that gets him a couple of days of picking up trash at the side of the road, in addition to his fines and time served. I am also guessing that the fine will be bigger because of the administrative "costs" of issuing the bench warrant. I also don't think RR could possibly be very impressed with Stonum's intellect or lack of respect for authority. And I really liked B&H's statement that this might be why RR is signing so many WR's. I just hope Stonum gets his act together soon. You always want to see any young man with a chance to succeed do so. He does seem to have a lot of talent, but I have a feeling he is running out of chances at UM. The DUI was a mistake, but the bench warrant definitely counts as #2. I don't know how many "second chances" RR gives, but it can't be many more than two.

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584