Draconian sentencefor a misdemeanor
The sentence imposed on Deandre Jean-Pierre by Fresno County Superior Court Judge John Vogt was medieval – register for life as a sex offender for misdemeanor groping (story, Sept. 29). A two-year jail term, harsh in itself for a young man with no criminal history, was suspended.
The sex registration, like probation, should have been limited, say, to five or even 10 years. Because Jean-Pierre had the audacity to ask for a jury trial and was found guilty, he must be punished hard. Judge Vogt used the nastiest tool at his disposal – life registration for a misdemeanor. In olden days, offenders were branded or had a hand cut off. Judge Vogt’s sentence was the modern equivalent.
Donald R. Slinkard, Fresno
This story was originally published October 1, 2017 at 7:26 PM with the headline "Draconian sentencefor a misdemeanor."