Gore's son pleads guilty in drug case

[jefferson_dem]

Source: AP

Gore's son pleads guilty in drug case
By GILLIAN FLACCUS

Al Gore's son pleaded guilty Monday to possessing marijuana and other drugs, but a judge said the plea could be withdrawn and the charges dropped if he successfully completes a drug diversion program.

Authorities have said they found drugs in Al Gore III's car after the 24-year-old was pulled over on July 4 for going 100 mph in his Toyota Prius.

He pleaded guilty Monday to two felony counts of drug possession, two misdemeanor counts of drug possession without a prescription, and one misdemeanor count of marijuana possession, the district attorney's office said.

Jaime Coulter, senior deputy district attorney, said Gore's sentencing will be continued until Feb. 7. If he has complied with all the conditions of the diversion program, the sentencing will be continued again for another year, with charges possibly being dropped in 2009.

"At that point, he will be able to withdraw his guilty plea as if he never entered it," Coulter said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070730/ap_on_re_us/gore_s_son

[atreides1]

1. This is just wrong

Wrong, Wrong, Wrong!!!!!

[NYVet]

9. ACD ruling from the judge happens all the time

Adjoournment in Consideration of Dismissal

aka keep your nose clean and it goes away. It is given to a lot of first timers who didn't commit a major felony.

[zehnkatzen]

2. I have mixed feelings...

...he had the guts to man up and plead guilty, which is something a Republican would never do except as a last resort.

OTOH, he's getting the rich white dude's justice–a slap on the wrist.

So...the world's still unfair. meh.

However, I have put "getting wealthy" at the top of my list.

[Dogmudgeon]

3. It's not that bad

Drug diversion programs are available to all people who qualify for them, rich and poor alike. That's a federal law of some kind, pertaining to equality.

Of course, since law enforcement is much more vigorous in the poor areas, the poor have a much better chance of running afoul of the law. No libbrul ideas about equality there!

I have to get rich, too. It's impossible to get a doctor when you have no money. So how did I get to be so poor? By being sick!

--p!

[zehnkatzen]

4. Well you know how they say life is like a sh•t sandwich...

...the more bread you have, the less sh•t you end up eating.

So it goes.

[depakid]

It's a standard disposition in California

He's not getting anything different than any other offender would under these facts.

It's called "Deferred Entry of Judgment" or "Diversion," and tens thousands of these cases are handled this way every year.

[rainbow4321]

19. Sentence may be the norm...

I only say that cuz I have a relative who recently got his third pot charge, this time it was listed as "intent to sell" and a federal charge cuz of the amount he had on him. History of losing his license cuz he was driving high at one arrest.
Last I heard (a few days ago) he got a deal where if he goes to weekly meetings about drug abuse he'll get his driver's license back in a few months and stay clean (i.e random drug testing) over the next 5 years and the felony charges get dropped and off his record. Least that is what his immediate family is reporting. Does this sound right???

[ProudDad]

20. Absolutely

the phony "was on drugs" should be terminated...

Drug abuse is a Public Health issue. It does NOT EVER belong in the criminal-injustice system...

[tabasco]

24. Absolutely. But the police state industries need the destructive "war on drugs."

The police state industries include prisons, probation/parole officers, drug testers, police, counselors, etc. The industry needs a steady stream of drug "criminals" to keep their steady paycheck. These forces will fight rational drug laws to the death. I see no rational drug laws in this county's near future. We will continue to waste police resources on crimes that have no victim. Drug use is a public health issue and can be dealt with without ruining lives. Thanks to California for leading the way. Good luck.

[IntravenousDemilo]

5. The good news here...

...is that you can go 100 mph in a Toyota Prius.

[zehnkatzen]

6. Yeah! Who knew? n/t

[IntravenousDemilo]

10. That should shut up those people who think of hybrids as "little girly-man" cars with no guts.

[Common Sense Party]

8. You beat me to it. n/t

[Ayesha]

11. The other good news here

You can drink/drug and drive and help save the planet at the same time! Except, ya know, that whole potentially killing innocent people thing.

[zehnkatzen]

13. You guys! Always seeing the dark cloud in the silver lining!

;-)

[Common Sense Party]

15. Yeah, but...

...if you wipe out a couple of "innocent" bystanders, you've just snuffed out their respective carbon footprints, as well. So, maybe even that could be a plus!

[Malidictus Maximus]

At the risk of emitting even MORE smug :-)

[Malidictus Maximus]

12. At the risk of emitting even MORE smug :-)

[Common Sense Party]

7. A Prius can do 100? Cool! n/t

[PittPoliSci]

14. that's actually what i was thinking too.

[jordi_fanclub]

16. 105.57 mph

In fact Prius can do a little more... 105.57 mph

http://www.toyota.co.uk/vs2/pdf/PS2_63_spec.pdf

[Radicalman]

17. Who really give a damn about this nothing story? I sure don't.

[catnhatnh]

18. Real answer???

Anyone here believe a young black man drives at over 100 miles an hour,pleads guilty to two felonies and is then offerred a chance to walk???With strong (and expensive) legal support he surrendered future presumptions of innocense in expiation of current charges.If you believe the same results would accrue to a minority with a public defender you are deluding yourself. Even in John Edwards America it is neccesary to recognize in WHICH America the children of political figures live...I don't hate him for taking this path-I hate that is only available to the select few.

[ProudDad]

21. Actually, for first offense drug charges in California

We voted for Proposition 36 so that this would be the case.

Diversion.

And it IS for everyone...

Drug use is NOT a "criminal" matter, it's a public health problem...

[catnhatnh]

23. I hope this is so.

Here on the east coast we are not so enlightened.It looked awful suspect out here were "minorities" truly are...Kudos to your state.

[Synnical]

22. Al Gore III smokes pot and Hillary has tits!

I'm shocked, I tell you, shocked!