Man goes to Jail for mocking handicapped girl

[Landin55]

You don't have a legal protection from people being jerks. If you can prove it's harassment, that's different. But a single instance of someone mocking a disability is not harassment.

Looks like the Judge in the case disagrees. Unless you are somehow going to contradict yourself and still try to act like you are still in the right.

[Cybran]

You don't have a legal protection from people being jerks. If you can prove it's harassment, that's different. But a single instance of someone mocking a disability is not harassment.

There are laws against hate speech here and i see nothing wrong with that.

[Laize]

Looks like the Judge in the case disagrees. Unless you are somehow going to contradict yourself and still try to act like you are still in the right.

Judges aren't always right. That's what the appeals process is for. I doubt he'll appeal over 29 days, but that doesn't make the Judge right.

There are laws against hate speech here and i see nothing wrong with that.

In the US? Laws against hate speech are illegal.

[cFortyfive]

Are you serious?

You are an adult and have a stressful job full with assholes, this is normal.

So it is unsettling because it happens to a child. How was that equality crap again ?

[Deleted]

He deserved it. That's all. And no, I don't care that there wasn't a strong basis for him being charged, because he deserved it. Plus 30 days is not that much.

[Daerio]

Are you serious?

You are an adult and have a stressful job full with assholes, this is normal.

The girl is a child with a disability that she has to deal with every day.

Treating her special because she's different is the opposite of treating everyone 'the same.' Maybe I deserve more rights because I'm a white male. As I said (I think on page 3) jail time is way too much. A fine, court-ordered therapy, and/or community service at most. A better solution is expelling the son for bullying. (which seems way more appropriate to me) Police don't belong in this situation.

There are laws against hate speech here and i see nothing wrong with that.

This is incorrect BTW. There are limitations, but 'hate speech' is a protected right.

[Deleted]

Wish I'd have some pityworth condition so i could sue everyone that looks at me funny... not because EVERYONE does it, but apparently that's what this world is coming to. And to all those who are supporting judge's decision, stay in your houses and don't make contact with other human beings, that's what's best you can do for society.

[Collegeguy]

Looks like the Judge in the case disagrees. Unless you are somehow going to contradict yourself and still try to act like you are still in the right.

Some small time judge in a common law system. That stuff happens. Higher courts overturn judges all the time. I wouldn't settle on anything from one ruling by one small town judge.





I got a trespassing ticket in a small town once when I was using a phone booth. The police just gave me a ticket and never asked me to leave. Small town judge and a kangaroo court. I easily appealed and won.

[Kasierith]

Some small time judge in a common law system. That stuff happens. Higher courts overturn judges all the time. I wouldn't settle on anything from one ruling by one small town judge.

Maybe, maybe not. The more he fights it, the more attention will be drawn to his actions, which while not strictly legally wrong are definitely wrong according to the views of most in society.

[Deleted]

The right to freedom of expression is recognized as a human right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and recognized in international human rights law in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Article 19 of the ICCPR states that "[e]veryone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference" and "everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice". Article 19 goes on to say that the exercise of these rights carries "special duties and responsibilities" and may "therefore be subject to certain restrictions" when necessary "[f]or respect of the rights or reputation of others" or "[f]or the protection of national security or of public order (order public), or of public health or morals".

So, no. That's not how it works.

Freedom of speech does not entitle you to be an ass.

I'm surprised you're bringing up the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Round about no-one pays the slightest bit of attention to it legally.

[Anakso]

Judges aren't always right. That's what the appeals process is for. I doubt he'll appeal over 29 days, but that doesn't make the Judge right.

Are we sure it was a single incident?
Seems like it was probably a recurring incident since they were able to catch what he was doing on camera. They probably new he'd do it. If it happened multiple times then it's harassment.

[Deleted]

That's not freedom of speech though... Freedom of speech doesn't cover everything, you're still not allowed to threaten, mock or otherwise insult other people...

So making fun of people in any context according to you should be illegal?

[Tzalix]

I'm surprised you're bringing up the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Round about no-one pays the slightest bit of attention to it legally.

True that. One look at this thread confirms it, which sickens me, frankly.

[Deleted]

And we shouldn't.

Why not? Who is it that defines "hate group"?

---------- Post added 2012-11-30 at 10:54 AM ----------

...

The girl? That got mocked? You missed that part?

I'm not sure that being mocked is an abrogation of someone's rights. Unpleasant, it can be. Insulting, it can be. Denial of rights?

[Kasierith]

I'm surprised you're bringing up the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Round about no-one pays the slightest bit of attention to it legally.

The UN Declaration on Human Rights was never intended to be a legal code. It was meant to be a secular codification of morality, one that could be used by the international system to determine rights and wrongs in the world.

[moremana]

Except he didn't swing his fist.

As I said, he's a fucking asshole but you don't get to be arrested for freedom of speech.

Freedom of speech doesnt give you the right to bully people, you cant see the forest for the trees. Thats the problem with society

[BreathTaker]

Damn, if i was him i'd make sure i did enough to earn this 29 days in jail.
unbelievable

[Krez]

Freedom of speech doesnt give you the right to bully people, you cant see the forest for the trees. Thats the problem with society

Sure it does. I can say whatever I want as long as it doesn't incite violence. Making fun of people is not something that should be punishable by jail time.

[Cybran]

So it is unsettling because it happens to a child. How was that equality crap again ?

Equality in courts is nonexistent. In this case however you have a 10 year old girl with a disability and a grown fucking man(!) who harasses her. This goes far beyond free speech, this is psychological harassment. He induces pain in a girl by mocking her disability, he deserves the jail time.

[Adamas102]

Disorderly Conduct and Aggravated Menacing is what he was charged with, and both are very vague crimes but what he did falls under either/or. Usually when you are charged with one of these you show up for court, plead no contest and pay a fine. But I imagine the Judge - rightfully so - wanted to impress upon this forty-three fucking year old child that this is not how you behave in society.

This pretty much sums it up.