No police discount for you

A wise man once said: “Stupid is as stupid does.”

This morning I listened as a defendant appearing for sentencing before the local criminal court judge copped to stupidity as the reason the man committed the acts for which he pleaded guilty. Those charges were for evading arrest and impersonating a public servant.

I was in the criminal courtroom this morning for a freelance gig and while waiting through the docket call. I got to view the seemingly never-ending parade of idiocy that keeps our criminal justice system in business.

The facts in this particular defendant’s charges were not totally clear as he had already pleaded guilty and was only in court for punishment. But it appears that he ran from police on a motorcycle at speeds of what he said was near 100 mph. His charge of impersonating a police officer stemmed from his attempt to buy a range-finder for playing golf during which time he had asked for a police discount. Whether the two charges were related or if he flashed a phony badge eludes me.

I do know in a brief research of the defendant’s criminal records in three states that he had prior charges for reckless driving, speeding and criminal impersonation. It makes me wonder if he is a serial impersonator. He no doubt has a need for speed. He also claims to be a professional bike racer but given his history I am not sure I would take his word at face value.

The judge sentenced the man to probation and a fine on the two charges. Let’s just hope that the man doesn’t try to impersonate a probation officer.