NFL Off Topic

[N51_rob]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheShizNo1

I think I just read Blackmon is pleading not guilty? WTF exactly is he gonna say?

Nothing, plead not guilty and let your lawyer earn his $$$. Probably get him to plead on a lesser charge. (Wreckless Driving, Speeding, Wreckless endagerment) all lesser (I think) that taking a DUI with a .24 BAC.

[TheShizNo1]

I hear that, but watching PTI, they had some good points. The fact that this has happened twice before even preseason says he may actually have an alcohol problem. He's also a potential threat to others when he drinks. This isn't a issue, it's a problem.

[NDAlum]

Actually pleading not guilty does not fall in line with defense attorney's and DA's negotiating lesser charges. Usually the DA will offer lesser charges for the defendant to plead guilty.

By pleading not guilty the case is set to go to trial before a judge to determine guilt/innocence. This trial will be on the listed charges, not lesser charges.

My personal opinion:

Money grab by the lawyer. He tries to convince Blackmon he can get him off by some type of technicality. Blackmon is young and dumb...believes the lawyer. Lawyer spends an absurd amount of time on the case and racks up a huge tab for Blackmon. Lawyer also gets plenty of pub for repping Blackmon.

I'm cynical

To add: Blackmon was pulled over for speeding. Consented to a alcosensor and blew a .24 Game over. You can't fight that.

Defense attorney's will argue about the smallest detail until they are blue in the face. One time a defense attorney tried to get this guy off a DWI because the arresting officer didn't appear to be completely looking at the defendant. State law mandates a visual be kept on the drunk driver during a 15 minute time frame before performing an alcosensor at intake.

LOL!

[wwharton]

Quote: Originally Posted by N51_rob

Nothing, plead not guilty and let your lawyer earn his $$$. Probably get him to plead on a lesser charge. (Wreckless Driving, Speeding, Wreckless endagerment) all lesser (I think) that taking a DUI with a .24 BAC.

Yeah, depending on the area and probably the judge, this type of thing could result in jail time. The plea is probably so his lawyer can make sure he gets as little (non-monetary) punishment as possible.

Quote: Originally Posted by TheShizNo1

I hear that, but watching PTI, they had some good points. The fact that this has happened twice before even preseason says he may actually have an alcohol problem. He's also a potential threat to others when he drinks. This isn't a issue, it's a problem.

I really hate commenting on these things bc all that matters is how dangerous drinking and driving is, and I don't want to sound like I'm defending the act. But it really worries me when people look at one thing and try to use it to speculate about them as a person in the same way they look at last year's stats and try to project their future. The reality is college kids drink... many high school kids drink. It's bad but it's the truth, and most of us probably couldn't care less as long as they don't drive over the limit. If his first one was about him being underage while blowing under the limit, then the type of assumption made in that PTI segment is completely off based. Not to mention, having two cases of drinking in excess (if we assume the first was in excess which it doesn't sound like) doesn't point to a problem. Multiple cases that can range from DUI's to bar fights could indicate a problem, but it's insane for them to make that connection here.

What it does say to me is that he doesn't respect the severity of the crime and his place in society or as an NFL player. There are laws broken all the time but this is one intended to save lives and it'd appear his self consumption is more important than realizing that. And, just as important is the lack of respect for the opportunity in front of him and how easily it can be taken away.

If we want to look at that, we could think that he will have a history of off field problems that will make him a headache for the Jags who never reaches his potential (see Pacman Jones). Or that "his world" is bigger than the real world which could stunt his development and make him an on the field and club house problem (see Vince Young). Alcohol wouldn't have anything to do with either situation, but his approach to handling it could be a flag paired with others to show one of these things. But thinking like this also leaves a greater possibility that he's just a kid that made a stupid mistake, and this process will teach him to do better. Already saying he has an alcohol problem is a much worse perception to shake.

[wwharton]

Quote: Originally Posted by NDAlum

Actually pleading not guilty does not fall in line with defense attorney's and DA's negotiating lesser charges. Usually the DA will offer lesser charges for the defendant to plead guilty. By pleading not guilty the case is set to go to trial before a judge to determine guilt/innocence. This trial will be on the listed charges, not lesser charges. My personal opinion: Money grab by the lawyer. He tries to convince Blackmon he can get him off by some type of technicality. Blackmon is young and dumb...believes the lawyer. Lawyer spends an absurd amount of time on the case and racks up a huge tab for Blackmon. Lawyer also gets plenty of pub for repping Blackmon. I'm cynical To add: Blackmon was pulled over for speeding. Consented to a alcosensor and blew a .24 Game over. You can't fight that. Defense attorney's will argue about the smallest detail until they are blue in the face. One time a defense attorney tried to get this guy off a DWI because the arresting officer didn't appear to be completely looking at the defendant. State law mandates a visual be kept on the drunk driver during a 15 minute time frame before performing an alcosensor at intake. LOL!

That does make more sense... but certainly hope not.

[N51_rob]

Quote: Originally Posted by NDAlum

Actually pleading not guilty does not fall in line with defense attorney's and DA's negotiating lesser charges. Usually the DA will offer lesser charges for the defendant to plead guilty. By pleading not guilty the case is set to go to trial before a judge to determine guilt/innocence. This trial will be on the listed charges, not lesser charges. My personal opinion: Money grab by the lawyer. He tries to convince Blackmon he can get him off by some type of technicality. Blackmon is young and dumb...believes the lawyer. Lawyer spends an absurd amount of time on the case and racks up a huge tab for Blackmon. Lawyer also gets plenty of pub for repping Blackmon. I'm cynical To add: Blackmon was pulled over for speeding. Consented to a alcosensor and blew a .24 Game over. You can't fight that. Defense attorney's will argue about the smallest detail until they are blue in the face. One time a defense attorney tried to get this guy off a DWI because the arresting officer didn't appear to be completely looking at the defendant. State law mandates a visual be kept on the drunk driver during a 15 minute time frame before performing an alcosensor at intake. LOL!

You are probably right. I know in Maryland you get arrested on a DUI. You spend the night in the drunk tank, then have anywhere from 2-6 months before you are due back in court. You are let go ROR and are handed a mailed your court date. So most of the, discovery and plea negations happen during that time period. This seems like such a quick turnaroud.

[TheShizNo1]

I hear you wwharton but can't buy the college kid thing. I just graduated from college and am over 21. When we go to one's house to drink, keys are taken and turned it when it's gonna be that kind of celebration. If we have a gathering and one starts to leave that seems drunk we take his/her keys, even if it means roughing up. It's called responsibility and accountability. I agree you can't paint the picture of his life by this instance, but I wasn't. He could be a great guy, but 2 DUI's in that short spam of time says something. Either he has a problem, is wreckless, or dumb. You get to a point, no matter the tolerance, when you say to yourself you probably shouldn't drive. Some accept, others ignore it. He's ignored twice.

[jb12780]

60 in a 35 + .24 BAC will be a tough one for Mr. Blackmon IMO.

Get a cab. Even if he drove TO the bar/club, parking ticket > DUI.

EDIT: Just saw in a Washington Post article that said his charge was only a misdemeanor? Can someone enlighten me here?