Judge Offers Three Men Facing Jail Time Parole if They Learn English
A Pennsylvania judge has offered three men who are facing possible prison time parole if they learn to read and write English. Also, in addition to learning English the men are required to get their GED and find a full-time job.
Luzerne County Judge Peter Paul Olszewski noted that all three men, Ricardo Dominguez, Luis Reyes and Kelvin Reyes-Rosario, had to use a translator when they showed up to court and pleaded guilty for criminal conspiracy to commit robbery.
According to the judge’s ruling the three men will have to return with their parole officers in a year to take an English test. What do you think about the judge’s sentence given to these three men? I personally feel that in the end it will benefit them.
Original report: www.pressconnects.com
14 Responses to “Judge Offers Three Men Facing Jail Time Parole if They Learn English”
By Scott on Mar 28, 2008 | Reply
I say way to go judge! Nice story
By jon8105 on Mar 28, 2008 | Reply
@Scott
Thanks for the comment. I too think it was a good idea. Now we just have to wait and see if it pays off.
By vj on Apr 1, 2008 | Reply
It is good to know that the judge saw fit to give these men an opportunity to change. Kudoos to the judge. Thanks for the story.
By jon8105 on Apr 1, 2008 | Reply
@VJ
Yeah, that was a good choice by the judge. I am glad you liked it.
By IludiumPhosdex on Apr 4, 2008 | Reply
Actual sign outside a tourist-trap shop on Majorca:
By regan on Apr 8, 2008 | Reply
I think that all should do this so we don’t have a spanish speecking country.
By N. G. Hill on Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
What a wise judge! Not only will the “sentence”
help the three men, but such sentences will also help the U.S.A.
By anonymous on May 5, 2008 | Reply
This is bullshit. They should not get off easily just because they can’t speak english. Send them home if you want them to be able to speak fluently. If the ycame to this country to get ahead in life learning english should be a priority to them. WE NEED TO STOP CATERING TO PEOPLE AND GROW A PAIR. If someone wants to come to this country, not a problem, but when they expect us to change just because they did, thats where we should draw the line. If you come to America, learn to live here, don;t bring your country here too.
By cronto on May 12, 2008 | Reply
I, like most of you, strongly agree with the judge’s decision. The only problem with that is, however fair it was for those three men, others who are faced with similar situations might - just might, hopefully not - point back to what happened here and want a similar judgment, except learn how to sew or something. However, I really do not think that will happen, so…Nice move, judge!
By Mo on Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
Okay, next time a bi-lingual criminal goes into his court he, the criminal, can play the ‘no habla ingles’ and get off scott free. I totally agree with anonymous just above.
By Claude Gelinas on Jul 4, 2008 | Reply
In many cases, rehabilitation works better than sending people in alredy overcrowded jails.
Then again, the criminals have to -want- to change their life for the better or else, everybody’s just wasting time… until they get caught, again.
By erica on Jul 5, 2008 | Reply
So if an American gets caught trying to commit a crime, can we learn Spanish and get off scott free also? If they cant speak any english they probably have to rob to get any cash since no one will hire them. So now they are now back on the street to contemplate their next crime… it would be funny if they robbed the judges house and then he will think twice about his stupid decision.
By matt on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
Was that the only ramification for their misdeeds? If learning English was the only ramification of violation of parole, the judge is a dumbass. Secondly, what an absurd demand! Though this country is majority English speaking, the United States government has not declared an official language. This stems from the “Melting Pot” days, when new immigrants had not adopted English as a first language. Though English is now the dominant language in America, and while it thus important to learn and use the language, and while I cannot understand anyone not doing so, I don’t think it is within the bounds of the judicial system to force someone to learn English.
By Justice on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
Excellent ruling! I have been wanting to learn Spanish and now I can just hold off until I rob a bank and get convicted!