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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
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Judge Bans Rhode Island Teen From Driving For Life
A Rhode Island judge wanted to send a clear message to young people that he won't tolerate reckless driving.
According to ABC 7, 17-year-old Lyle Topa has been banned from driving in the state of Rhode Island for life, after he crashed into a tree last October.
Police said Topa was driving on a suspended license at the time. He and his three teenage passengers were drinking alcohol at a party before the accident. The teenagers were lucky to escape with their lives, but 16-year-old John LaMotte was in a coma for weeks, according to The Daily Mail.
The Westerly Sun reports that Chief Magistrate William Guglietta of the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal pored over photos of the wreckage before handing out the harshest penalty possible, noting that he hoped the "dramatic" sentence would deter other teens from being so careless.
"If you're going to drive dangerously in Rhode Island and you're a young person, this court is going respond accordingly," Guglietta told KABC. "The law in this case allows this court to impose that penalty. If they think that more stringent penalties are important for drunk driving, then I'm assuming at some point in time, those issues will be raised with the legislature."
The sentence was handed out after Topa pleaded no contest to speeding, violating seat belt laws, and overtaking where prohibited, while the judge agreed to drop several charges including graduated license violations of having too many passengers in the car and being out past the designated curfew, leaving the lane of travel and failure to maintain control of the vehicle, according to The Westerly Sun.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/04/judge-bans-rhode-island-teen-from-driving-for-life_n_1319810.html
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I'm on the fence about this one. While I think it's excessive, I like that it sends the message that driving is a privilege not a right - and one that should be taken seriously.
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Posted 3/5/12 11:07 AM  |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
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Re: Judge Bans Rhode Island Teen From Driving For Life
While what he did certainly deserve a harsh punishment, I think "for life" is a bit much for a 17 year old. Not that his age should be an excuse, but his lack of maturity, insight and judgment as a teenager should be considered. Not being able to obtain a drivers license in his state "for life" will really inhibit him in his future and his ability to function as an adult.
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| Posted 3/5/12 12:05 PM |
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CouponKT
Our family is complete
Member since 6/06 16494 total posts
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K
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Re: Judge Bans Rhode Island Teen From Driving For Life
Posted by nrthshgrl
I'm on the fence about this one. While I think it's excessive, I like that it sends the message that driving is a privilege not a right - and one that should be taken seriously.
Agreed.
But unfortunately people tend to NOT learn from other's mistakes. I would say that he should lose his license for 5-10 years, but maybe not indefinitely.
Also, he is only banned from driving in Rhode Island. He can move to another state and get a license and do this all over again 
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| Posted 3/5/12 12:14 PM |
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eroxgirl
My Loves
Member since 5/05 15697 total posts
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Rebecca
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Re: Judge Bans Rhode Island Teen From Driving For Life
Posted by FirstMate
While what he did certainly deserve a harsh punishment, I think "for life" is a bit much for a 17 year old. Not that his age should be an excuse, but his lack of maturity, insight and judgment as a teenager should be considered. Not being able to obtain a drivers license in his state "for life" will really inhibit him in his future and his ability to function as an adult.
I also agree that it's harsh, but he very nearly inhibited his OWN future and ability to function as an adult by drinking and driving, speeding, driving with a suspended license (already at 17 years old!!), putting his friend in a coma, etc. etc. etc. ETA: The way he's driving he may never live to be an adult..
He can always move to Connecticut. Rhode Island is pretty small anyway.
Message edited 3/5/2012 12:17:38 PM.
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| Posted 3/5/12 12:16 PM |
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MandJZ
Time for Baby #2!
Member since 8/10 4194 total posts
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M
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Re: Judge Bans Rhode Island Teen From Driving For Life
Posted by nrthshgrl
"If you're going to drive dangerously in Rhode Island and you're a young person, this court is going respond accordingly," Guglietta told KABC. "The law in this case allows this court to impose that penalty. If they think that more stringent penalties are important for drunk driving, then I'm assuming at some point in time, those issues will be raised with the legislature."
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The main reason I have any problem with it is this line "If you're going to drive dangerously in Rhode Island and you're a young person"...why should it be restricted to driving dangerously 'as a young person'? Why not driving dangerously as ANY person?
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| Posted 3/5/12 12:18 PM |
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LeShellem
A new beginning
Member since 2/07 3600 total posts
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LeShelle
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Re: Judge Bans Rhode Island Teen From Driving For Life
Posted by CouponKT
Posted by nrthshgrl
I'm on the fence about this one. While I think it's excessive, I like that it sends the message that driving is a privilege not a right - and one that should be taken seriously.
Also, he is only banned from driving in Rhode Island. He can move to another state and get a license and do this all over again
The fact that he can get his licence in another state, makes this not really so harsh at all. It is simply more of an inconvenience than anything else. Hopefully more judges will take this stance. It would certainly scare me enough to drive responsibly every single time.
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| Posted 3/5/12 12:18 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
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..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Judge Bans Rhode Island Teen From Driving For Life
Posted by CouponKT
Posted by nrthshgrl
I'm on the fence about this one. While I think it's excessive, I like that it sends the message that driving is a privilege not a right - and one that should be taken seriously.
Agreed.
But unfortunately people tend to NOT learn from other's mistakes. I would say that he should lose his license for 5-10 years, but maybe not indefinitely.
Also, he is only banned from driving in Rhode Island. He can move to another state and get a license and do this all over again
Or he can just roll the dice and drive without a license like tons of others do.
DH says it is crazy how many people he pulls over that are driving with no license or a suspended license.
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| Posted 3/5/12 12:21 PM |
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HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
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Re: Judge Bans Rhode Island Teen From Driving For Life
The kid is a menace.
He deserves what he got.
Sadly, I'm sure he'll still get behind the wheel.
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| Posted 3/5/12 12:44 PM |
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PearlJamChick
No one sings like you anymore.
Member since 7/10 9264 total posts
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Petticoated Swashbuckler
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Re: Judge Bans Rhode Island Teen From Driving For Life
Good!
This probably won't prevent him from driving without a license. Lots of folks do that. But this is still sending a message, and I applaud the judge for that. 
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| Posted 3/5/12 12:47 PM |
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Bearcat
Love my little girls!!! <3
Member since 6/10 10818 total posts
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E
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Re: Judge Bans Rhode Island Teen From Driving For Life
Posted by MandJZ
Posted by nrthshgrl
"If you're going to drive dangerously in Rhode Island and you're a young person, this court is going respond accordingly," Guglietta told KABC. "The law in this case allows this court to impose that penalty. If they think that more stringent penalties are important for drunk driving, then I'm assuming at some point in time, those issues will be raised with the legislature."
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The main reason I have any problem with it is this line "If you're going to drive dangerously in Rhode Island and you're a young person"...why should it be restricted to driving dangerously 'as a young person'? Why not driving dangerously as ANY person?
I think the point is that courts tend to be more lenient with younger people because "they're young" and have their "whole lives ahead" of them, etc. So to say what was said in that line is to say that it doesn't matter that you're a young person, they're going to throw the book at you anyway.
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| Posted 3/5/12 12:55 PM |
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jilliibabii
Mrs. O'Connor
Member since 6/10 12821 total posts
Name:
Jillian
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Re: Judge Bans Rhode Island Teen From Driving For Life
Posted by MandJZ
Posted by nrthshgrl
"If you're going to drive dangerously in Rhode Island and you're a young person, this court is going respond accordingly," Guglietta told KABC. "The law in this case allows this court to impose that penalty. If they think that more stringent penalties are important for drunk driving, then I'm assuming at some point in time, those issues will be raised with the legislature."
.
The main reason I have any problem with it is this line "If you're going to drive dangerously in Rhode Island and you're a young person"...why should it be restricted to driving dangerously 'as a young person'? Why not driving dangerously as ANY person?
Exactly what I was going to say. It should just be "If you're going to drive dangerously in Rhode Island, this court is going to respond accordingly."
The sentence itself doesn't bother me. It sounds like these kids have been in trouble for the same things before and just don't care to learn from their mistakes. Nothing but a harsh sentence like this or someone dying at their hands will give them the wake up call they need. Better this than blood on their hands.
Message edited 3/5/2012 1:05:46 PM.
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| Posted 3/5/12 1:05 PM |
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