Judge rules GED completion is ‘get out of jail’ card for Martinez
April 14th, 2011 Posted in OpinionBy Stephanie Zollinger
LOGAN–William Martinez, 17, pleaded guilty to possession or use of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, both class A Misdemeanors, in First District Court on April 5.
Judge Thomas Willmore presided and sentenced Martinez to serve 365 days for each charge in the Cache County Jail, and ordered him to pay fines totaling $1,066. Willmore also set probation conditions for Martinez. Due to Martinez’s criminal history he has been removed from Juvenile Court to the First District Court.
In court Martinez said, “I just keep messing up, but I’ll do it the right way [this time].”
“Why? Why do you keep messing up?” Judge Willmore asked.
“I don’t know,” was Martinez’s response.
Willmore quickly responded, “That is a bad answer. That’s what jail is for, so you can figure that out.”
During sentencing Judge Willmore was adamant that Martinez get his GED, and incorporated it as being his way out of jail.
“You have the key to when you get out of jail,” the judge said. “You are to complete your GED within three months and when you do that, you are to write a letter to me and a review hearing will be scheduled.”
Martinez’s probationary conditions include: alcohol or drug counseling, no consumption of drugs or alcohol, no association with known criminals, drug dealers or users. Martinez will also be required to attend one AA meeting a week and will be supervised by AP & P when he gets out of jail.
NW
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