The End of Albena and Maxim

[attyfan]

But it wouldn't have anything to do with the way a sentence for a criminal case is decided.

As I understand it, Bulgarian law gives judges discretion in sentencing. So, a judge could impose probation so that Maxim can make "restitution" to the people he injured.

 

[Mathman]

As I understand it, Bulgarian law gives judges discretion in sentencing. So, a judge could impose probation so that Maxim can make "restitution" to the people he injured.

That is, however, a slippery slope. Another little slide and you have a system where rich people can buy their way out of jail.

 

[dancemaster]

That is, however, a slippery slope. Another little slide and you have a system where rich people can buy their way out of jail.

but that happens in most countries..

 

[Winnipeg]

but that happens in most countries..

unless you do a 'white collar crime' eg the Enron guys, Black, Stewart (Martha), etc.................

 

[Bennett]

As I understand it, Bulgarian law gives judges discretion in sentencing. So, a judge could impose probation so that Maxim can make "restitution" to the people he injured.

I don't know how average people or judges in Bulgaria would be thinking of it. But personally, I would find it strange if he gets less/no time in jail just because he can earn money for victims through ice shows, rather than because he was proven to be less guilty or innocent.

I also would personally find it strange if he performs in ice shows before the legal case is finalized. I wonder if this is what the article meant because the title of the article wasn't clear and could be just being misleading.

 

[attyfan]

I don't know how average people or judges in Bulgaria would be thinking of it. But personally, I would find it strange if he gets less/no time in jail just because he can earn money for victims through ice shows, rather than because he was proven to be less guilty or innocent.
...

Compared to what has happened in the US, I would prefer it if a celebrity was given probation in order to make restitution, as opposed to what usually happens (charges of vehicular manslaughter were dropped against singer Brandy, for example)

 

[Tonichelle]

or the joke of the DUI darlings getting minutes or seconds of jail time instead of a full sentence....

 

[Winnipeg]

If you use the rationale stay out to make restitution then wouldn't that apply to everyone. Some might make more than others but you could say no matter the crime, get out and work and pay a monthly fee to the victims?

I'm sure Martha Stewart could have made money while in jail to those who were allegedly 'hurt' by her insider training?????

 

[Ptichka]

I'm sure Martha Stewart could have made money while in jail to those who were allegedly 'hurt' by her insider training?????

Nope, because Martha Stewart's actions hurt the whole system, not just a few investors.

If he did drive while impaired (the most likely scenario) it's completely possible to simultaneously believe he should suffer the full legal consequences of that and 'feel sorry' for him, not to mention his life partner who is surely suffering from this and as far as anyone knows, quite blameless.

ITA!

 

[Winnipeg]

Nope, because Martha Stewart's actions hurt the whole system, not just a few investors.

I guess my point was that if Maxim can avoid jail based on the concept of working and being required to pay his earnings to the victims, why couldn't MStewart do the same? Avoiding jail after killing someone, albeit unintentionally, surely shouldn't be allowed if a crime such as Stewart's was not. Killing a person seems more serious than a white collar crime

 

[Ptichka]

Winnipeg, first of all you are comparing apples and oranges, criminal systems in America and Bulgaria. Secondly, I think it's wrong to underplay white collar crime; if anything, it infuriates me that many of those clearly guilty of cooking books, insider trading, etc. get shorter sentences than someone convicted of having relatively small amounts of crack cocaine (mind you, if it's regular powder cocaine, it's a whole different story).