Protesters angry drunken Ferrari driver got work release sentence for 7th DUI

www.theolympian.com...

About 25 people protested Friday outside the courthouse where an Olympia man was sentenced to a year of work release for leading police on a drunken chase through downtown Olympia in his Ferrari last year.

The title of the article doesn't say it all. There's just a bit more to this.

Some of the protesters said they believe that the defendant, Shaun Goodman, who pleaded guilty to DUI and felony eluding in connection with the case, was treated too leniently by the judge and prosecutor in the case.

"It's not fair that there's a two-tiered legal system, one for those with money and another for those without," Sam Miller, one of the organizers of the protest, said Friday.

DUI and felony eluding in this case. Again, there's more to it.

This isn't just his first DUI...it's his 7th. (but 2 of the DUI's were pleaded down to other charges)

Goodman's arrest in December was his seventh DUI arrest - although two of Goodman's prior DUI arrests were pleaded down to negligent driving convictions, Thurston County Superior Court Judge Christine Schaller said in court last week.

Is this another case of "affluenza"? This is another case where the defendant has tons of money, and is given an extremely lenient sentence.

Here in my state of Texas, your 3rd DUI or more is a felony. Back in 2012, a man here got his 5th DUI and was given life in prison.

A bit more from the story - the guys passenger had to jump out of the car during the night. He also showed up to the protest.

Henry Griffin, a terrified passenger who accepted a ride from Goodman that night, also was at Friday's protest outside the Thurston County Superior Courthouse. Griffin said Goodman was driving over 100 miles per hour that night, and he escaped the car by jumping out when Goodman slowed through downtown Olympia.

a reply to: buni11687

That's what happens when you overfill your jails with victims of the War on Drugs - there is no room left for people who actually NEED to be jailed.

You'd think he'd get more than that just for the eluding police and leading them on a pursuit, regardless of speed or danger involved.

I guess he was someone special for the system. Must be nice to be just half a step above the law us mere mortals must adhere to.

a reply to: buni11687

I didn't even get work release for a petty offense. This guy has multiple felonies!!!

Give him work release at 50 cents an hour, he'll appreciate life more.

Is this another case of "affluenza"? This is another case where the defendant has tons of money, and is given an extremely lenient sentence. - See more at: www.abovetopsecret.com...

a reply to: buni11687

It sure seems that way! We definitely have a 2 tiered justice system. Just look at all the rich celebrities who break the law, only to get a slap on the wrist.

Judges should be held accountable for questionable rulings. One thing I hate about people in power, they have no accountability by the same people they judge or deal out orders to. People in management or in administrative positions are in that "good ole boys club." As long as their criminal or incompetent activities are kept out of the public eye. or there isn't a rebellion by the little people, they'll continue with their self-serving ways.

I've lived in quite a few places around the country, voted for local officials...
On every ballot there is a spot to retain a judge or toss them...
People need to remember this. Your local officials have the most direct effect on your life, vote accordingly.