Sean Taylor's Legal Situation

[Schneed10]

Also, people please don't overreact to the 46 years in jail thing. There's NO WAY he'd do that much time if convicted. If you think 46 years is a possibility, then you are allowing yourself to be sensationalized by the media.

Each of the 3 counts of aggravated assault are for a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 15. Then the simple battery is for up to one year. So if he served the max for all 4 counts against him, ONE AFTER THE OTHER AFTER THE OTHER, he'd serve 46 years.

WHEN DOES THIS EVER HAPPEN? It doesn't. First, if he gets convicted, he'll serve all of the sentences concurrently. Secondly, there's no way he'll serve the max 15 years. I mean come on, people guilty of manslaughter don't end up serving 46 years in our judicial system.

[Pocket$ $traight]

The charges sound scary but let's not forget one thing, none of us know all of the facts (and I think that the media is focusing on the story more than the circumstances). I remember when the story came out that it seemed like the character of the people he confronted is questionable at best. I also recall that his vehicle and home were shot at.

This is all speculation on my part but isn't it interesting that Florida has not charged anyone with the larceny of his ATVs and the discharge of a weapon into his home and vehicle (maybe I am missing something but I would think that firing a weapon into a car or home is a lot worse than waving one around)? If I am the prosecutor, it might weaken your case against Taylor if your star witnesses are charged and arrested for more severe crimes then the professional athlete that you are trying to make an example of. Also, it is very important to remember that Taylor will have the best lawyer in the courtroom. It shouldn't be hard to discredit these witnesses. Honestly, who is the real threat to the community here?

Kornheiser says that he won't serve one day. I hope he is right.

[70Chip]

Having had a few encounters with the legal system, I'm betting Taylor walks. They should go all out for the jury trial of the century. Lots of motions. Surprise witnesses - each more surprising than the last. Testimony to shock and discredit the accusers. Bad court thingies.

The Judge will get fed up and lean on the prosecutor to make a deal with no jail time.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Just one link about Taylor's attorney from Google:

http://www.fraudexaminer.com/Criminal_Defense.cfm

This guy isn't exactly Lionel Hutz.

[railcon56]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

If you're reading about ANYBODY in the paper who ALLEGEDLY did something, and then passing judgment on that person, then you're guilty of prejudice. There is an assumption of innocence until proven guilty in the court of law. So until Taylor is convicted, if it even happens, it's irresponsible to look upon him with any semblance of disdain.

At most, you could say Taylor is an idiot for getting himself into a confrontational situation. But to start labeling someone a thug based on ALLEGATIONS is very premature.

You're very right!

[wilsowilso]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Also, people please don't overreact to the 46 years in jail thing. There's NO WAY he'd do that much time if convicted. If you think 46 years is a possibility, then you are allowing yourself to be sensationalized by the media.

Each of the 3 counts of aggravated assault are for a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 15. Then the simple battery is for up to one year. So if he served the max for all 4 counts against him, ONE AFTER THE OTHER AFTER THE OTHER, he'd serve 46 years.

WHEN DOES THIS EVER HAPPEN? It doesn't. First, if he gets convicted, he'll serve all of the sentences concurrently. Secondly, there's no way he'll serve the max 15 years. I mean come on, people guilty of manslaughter don't end up serving 46 years in our judicial system.

I couldn't agree more. When I saw the 46 year headline I instantly thought of the word sensationalism! Three non cuncurrent max sentences. Yeah right.

[offiss]

Personally I believe they decieded to make the charges individual charges to offset the fact that they tried to plea bargain with Taylor and were rejected, in so doing weakend their case, so to pump up the chargers their essentially trying to present that their case is much bigger and stronger than originally thought when they had offered a plea bargain. when all they have is the same evidence and the same circumstances as they had before, they have just rearanged the charges to make it look worse now than it was when they made their offer. As other have stated they are SENSATIONALIZING this case as damage control for their plea bargain rejection.

[mooby]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Why are the odds bad for him?? Just because the DA expands the charges doesn't mean he necessarily has any more damning evidence.

It's very possible the DA is trying to intimidate Taylor into a plea.

I realize that there is a good chance this whole thing will get dropped, but think about it. If he gets found guilty on one charge, that's automatically three years minimum. And you never know if there are some football fans in the jury. Still, they probably don't have enough evidence to convict him.

[Longtimefan]

Is there now, or has there ever been a player convicted of a felony and come back to play in the NFL.

[mooby]

i would love for sean taylor to come back, but anything longer than a 5 year sentence and he'd be doomed, cuz i think he would be 30 and it wouldn't be long before he hit a period where his skills start to diminish.

[saskin]

Originally Posted by mooby

i would love for sean taylor to come back, but anything longer than a 5 year sentence and he'd be doomed, cuz i think he would be 30 and it wouldn't be long before he hit a period where his skills start to diminish.

That and would he be able to remain as fit in prison?

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by Redskins8588

The thing is that I am pretty sure that he can not take a plea, due to Flordia's gun laws. I am pretty sure that no matter what the minimum that he would have to server would be 3 years for each account. And that makes me want to :vomit: .

Taylor isn't taking any plea that includes a gun charge because it would require the minimum 3 year sentence. So if there is a plea, it would, as Schneed said, probably be simple assault with no gun charge attached. Even if convicted he probably only gets a the minimum on this deal so he has no incentive to plea until the gun charge is gone.

[RedskinPete]

Save to say someone with the DA is after him big time!

[Gmanc711]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

Is there now, or has there ever been a player convicted of a felony and come back to play in the NFL.

Ray Lewis? Was he convicted?

[wolfeskins]

i wish this whole thing would just get over with as soon as possible. i want to be able to focus on other offseason things, not taylor going to jail.