Judge Rejects Craig's Plea Withdrawal Attempt

SoFlaJDM · 10-04-2007, 02:12 PM

Judge rejects Craig's bid to withdraw guilty plea - CNN.com

(CNN) -- A Minnesota judge has denied Sen. Larry Craig's request to withdraw his guilty plea to a disorderly conduct charge stemming from his arrest in an airport men's room sex sting. Sen. Larry Craig had sought to overturn his guilty plea stemming from an airport bathroom sex sting.
In a 27-page order, Judge Charles Porter found Craig had entered the guilty plea "accurately, voluntarily and intelligently" and it was too late to withdraw his admission.
Craig, who says he is not gay, argued that he entered the plea without legal advice, fearing that the allegations would be made public.
Once his plea became public, the Idaho Republican announced he would resign at the end of September -- but then said he would await Porter's ruling before deciding whether to leave the Senate.
The judge heard arguments September 26 concerning Craig's June 11 arrest for allegedly making sexual overtures to an undercover male police officer in an airport men's restroom.
Craig entered a written guilty plea to a disorderly conduct charge in August.
Craig had said he would resign from the Senate if he could not get the guilty plea overturned by September 30. But last week, Craig said he wouldn't resign until "legal determinations" are made.
In court, Craig's attorneys said the guilty plea lacked a judge's signature and that the evidence did not support the conclusion that a crime occurred.

i'm glad the judge will treat him just like any other american that tried to do this. we have to set an example to the rest of the politicians, republican or democrat, that we won't place them above any other ordinary citizen

JaJae · 10-04-2007, 02:15 PM

Wtf, no do-overs or takebacks on your pleas. No special treatment either. What an ass for even attempting to get it. It makes me feel as if he was hoping his political position might help him.

SoFlaJDM · 10-04-2007, 02:18 PM

what's that i sense? another republican seat lost in '08?

motivez · 10-04-2007, 02:18 PM

Is it possible though that he just wanted it to go away and entered the guilty plea because he was scared about the damage to his political career?

And I've seen people on Law & Order withdraw their pleas (granted, not the best source for how it works in the real world), is it because he'd already paid the fine or whatever that it shouldn't be allowed?

JaJae · 10-04-2007, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

Is it possible though that he just wanted it to go away and entered the guilty plea because he was scared about the damage to his political career?

And I've seen people on Law & Order withdraw their pleas (granted, not the best source for how it works in the real world), is it because he'd already paid the fine or whatever that it shouldn't be allowed?

I believe he wanted it to go away and he plead on what he felt was in the best interest of his political position at the time. It backfired and ruined his political career. That's his problem. I don't think he should be able to keep changing his political stance for whatever works best for his career.

If I'm a driver and get pulled over for a DUI and I'm afraid I'm gonna lose my job unless I take a plea for say a reckless driving and still lose my job... I shouldn't be able to go back and say ok "scratch that plea I need to try again." The fact that he thinks he should be able to angers me.

SoFlaJDM · 10-04-2007, 02:23 PM

it's possible, the damage has been done though... expect a resignation in the next couple of weeks

maybe he thought the usual GOP "out of context' excuse would work with the judge?

motivez · 10-04-2007, 02:31 PM

I dunno, I'm kinda torn. I mean, I find his situation incredibly ironic but the fact that he didn't have legal counsel and wants to face the charge makes me think he should be given that chance, though obviously the amount of time that has passed makes that an issue

SoFlaJDM · 10-04-2007, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

I dunno, I'm kinda torn. I mean, I find his situation incredibly ironic but the fact that he didn't have legal counsel and wants to face the charge makes me think he should be given that chance, though obviously the amount of time that has passed makes that an issue

i'm not... he knows the law... he could have called his lawyer

no sympathy from me

JaJae · 10-04-2007, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

I dunno, I'm kinda torn. I mean, I find his situation incredibly ironic but the fact that he didn't have legal counsel and wants to face the charge makes me think he should be given that chance, though obviously the amount of time that has passed makes that an issue

Declining counsel has never been a reason to get a new trial. It usually makes it harder to appeal as well. His declining counsel in the eyes of the law doesn't make it easier to have his case reheard.

JaJae · 10-04-2007, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by SoFlaJDM

i'm not... he knows the law... he could have called his lawyer

no sympathy from me

I'd be surprised if he didn't speak to a lawyer before making his plea.

SoFlaJDM · 10-04-2007, 04:32 PM

he's refusing to resign like he said he would now

we'll see what the voters have to say about this i guess

garbagemanlb · 10-04-2007, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by SoFlaJDM

he's refusing to resign like he said he would now

we'll see what the voters have to say about this i guess

Awesome.

Democrats for Craig!

Galactic Gigolo · 10-04-2007, 08:17 PM

I hope Larry Craigs stays forever. The fiercely gay, fiercely anti-homosexual Senator who refuses to leave his job with hopes that it will all go away one day will add a lot of comedy to the Senate.

6SpeedTA95 · 10-04-2007, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

Is it possible though that he just wanted it to go away and entered the guilty plea because he was scared about the damage to his political career?

And I've seen people on Law & Order withdraw their pleas (granted, not the best source for how it works in the real world), is it because he'd already paid the fine or whatever that it shouldn't be allowed?

Typically you can only withdraw a plea if you do not understand what you're plea'ing to or if you do not understand the concept of a plea to begin with. This guy is a SENATOR and helps make laws, he understands the process better than almost anyone.

I'm glad he got rejected, he is NOT a normal person or a person who does not understand law, he knew what he was doing...