What do Big Ben and Lawrence Taylor have in common?

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Actually in NY State Law, not knowing is not an affirmative defense. When the DA said that ignorance was not an excuse I thought that was strange, because I always thought it was. I looked online at the NY statutes, and it doesn't list "reasonable belief of the victims ability to consent" (another way to say ignorance that the victim was under age) as a defense. What LT knew or didn't know isn't going to make much difference.
With that said, I would be shocked if they don't agree to a much less serious charge like contributing to the delinquency of a minor or something, assuming LT cooperates and becomes a witness for the state against the pimp,

hopefully, LT would agree to be a state witness regardless, but i agree they could be inclined to work something out. then again, I could also see NY using LT's celebrity to make an example out of him. i guess it comes down to what the DA thinks would do the most good - getting a minor-trafficing pimp off the streets or sending a message that would hopefully curb the demand for prostitution to begin with. put another way, does the DA want to attack the supply or curb the demand? i wonder how long until the law&order episode comes out.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

hopefully, LT would agree to be a state witness regardless, but i agree they could be inclined to work something out. then again, I could also see NY using LT's celebrity to make an example out of him. i guess it comes down to what the DA thinks would do the most good - getting a minor-trafficing pimp off the streets or sending a message that would hopefully curb the demand for prostitution to begin with. put another way, does the DA want to attack the supply or curb the demand? i wonder how long until the law&order episode comes out.

yeah, i could see this one going that way. I don't see Stabler going toe to toe with LT, even at 51

Another part is how LT's past convictions will play into sentencing. If NY has any type of 3 strike law, and he does get found guilty of the current charges, and not a lesser one, he could be looking at a longer time than 3-4 years.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

yeah, i could see this one going that way. I don't see Stabler going toe to toe with LT, even at 51

Another part is how LT's past convictions will play into sentencing. If NY has any type of 3 strike law, and he does get found guilty of the current charges, and not a lesser one, he could be looking at a longer time than 3-4 years.

really? aren't the charges he's looking at already considered a misdemeanor? or do 3 strike laws apply to ANY kind of conviction?

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

really? aren't the charges he's looking at already considered a misdemeanor? or do 3 strike laws apply to ANY kind of conviction?

The sex charge is a felony, the prostitution charge is probably a misdemeanor. I think 3 strikes only apply to felonies. I don't really know, just know he has been convicted of another felony(ies), and a felony sex charge conviction would surely end bad (worse than the 3-4 years mandatory) for him.