Question of the week: Regarding the one-year jail sentence for Sandra Arias in the hit-and-run accident that left Joshua Valdez severely injured, was justice served?
- Dennis Kennedy: No! Such a tragedy for both Joshua and Sandra, both young adults! There is no way to undo the harm and injury to Joshua and, perhaps, also to Sandra. She must live with the injury she caused for the rest of her life, just as Joshua will have to live with his injury and disability. I pray that he will recover. Somehow, I don’t believe a year in prison solves anything. True, we have a legal system that has consequences for illegal acts, but there must be a better way than to damage a second life for a terrible mistake or action. In a sense it’s like “An eye for eye” punishment, which is not a humane way of applying justice in a civilized society. I’m sure the judge must have struggled with this! There must be a better way! So, No! I do not believe justice was served in this case, because our justice system simply doesn’t have a humane and civilized way of dealing with such actions.
- Jeff Smith: No. One year seems awfully light for someone who, perhaps driving under the influence of alcohol, hits a man and leaves him for dead. Justice was not served. We need to get over our obsession with banning guns and start focusing on a much more egregious killer, that of drivers under the influence of alcohol.
- Hank Miller: How many ways are there to say NO! Anyone with such little regard for another human being should be severely punished. One year in jail, which will probably be reduced to six months, is not even close to making up for the suffering and life-long pain that Joshie will suffer because of her indifference. The “hit” may have been an accident, but the ‘“run” is inexcusable.
- Chris Bryant: No, In addition to jail/probation, where people failed to take personal responsibility, they should be required to perform some public service time to the best of their capabilities in order to promote personal responsibility. Societal education in addition to punishment would provide far more benefit.
- Dave Appling: No (absent any matters in mitigation or extenuation not publicly released). Arias admitted drinking, left her victim to his fate, and notified nobody. Her victim miraculously survived, but the effects of traumatic brain injuries are lifelong. One year in Elmwood for a six-year felony was too high a price to pay for a guilty plea.
- Karen Anderson: No. For a FELONY hit and run with such a horrible and lasting outcome, the sentence is very light. Sandra Arlia, who was charged with misdemeanor manslaughter for the death of a bicyclist riding in a pedestrian walkway, received three years of probation and 500 hours of community service where circumstances were muddled and she stayed at the scene.
- Lisa Pampuch: Yes.
- David Cohen: Yes.
- Kathleen Sullivan: Yes, If a longer sentence would bring Joshua back to where he was prior to this incident, there might be a reason for Ms Arias to serve more time. As it is she is going to have time to reflect on her panicked actions after the accident and the grief it has caused both her loved ones and Joshua and his loved ones. She is being punished for her actions and there has been enough sorrow already.
