By Alex Lane - Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe sought the Board of Supervisor’s support in his adamant opposition to Prop 5 during Tuesday’s meeting. Riebe has been a vocal opponent of the Proposition, which would expand rehabilitation services for drug offenders in prison, on parole, and in the community. More commonly known as the Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act, Riebe has said the title is misleading and attorney’s groups made unsuccessful efforts to have it changed. In his proposal to the Supervisors, Riebe said “Proposition 5 could provide, in effect, a ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ card to defendants charged with crimes such as domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, mortgage fraud, identity theft, vehicular manslaughter, insurance fraud and auto theft.” Riebe said criminals would be able to self-regulate drug treatment. In an exclusive Television Interview with TSPN, he said, “You can’t leave it to people who are in the throes of addiction to determine when they’re ready to get serious treatment.” In order to illustrate the Propositions potential hazards, Riebe recalled a warning from a lawyer friend: “(My friend) said that criminal defense attorneys are advising clients to carry a dime bag in their pocket. That way they can say ‘The drugs made me do it’.” The Supervisors unanimously and formally supported Riebe’s position.
Wednesday, 22 October 2008 04:56
Amador DA Todd Riebe Says Prop 5 Is Misleading
By Alex Lane - Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe sought the Board of Supervisor’s support in his adamant opposition to Prop 5 during Tuesday’s meeting. Riebe has been a vocal opponent of the Proposition, which would expand rehabilitation services for drug offenders in prison, on parole, and in the community. More commonly known as the Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act, Riebe has said the title is misleading and attorney’s groups made unsuccessful efforts to have it changed. In his proposal to the Supervisors, Riebe said “Proposition 5 could provide, in effect, a ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ card to defendants charged with crimes such as domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, mortgage fraud, identity theft, vehicular manslaughter, insurance fraud and auto theft.” Riebe said criminals would be able to self-regulate drug treatment. In an exclusive Television Interview with TSPN, he said, “You can’t leave it to people who are in the throes of addiction to determine when they’re ready to get serious treatment.” In order to illustrate the Propositions potential hazards, Riebe recalled a warning from a lawyer friend: “(My friend) said that criminal defense attorneys are advising clients to carry a dime bag in their pocket. That way they can say ‘The drugs made me do it’.” The Supervisors unanimously and formally supported Riebe’s position.
