Injustice in the city traffic court system

By disgusted
Published/Last Modified on Thursday, July 9, 2009 11:55 AM CDT

 

I am livid.  I have no idea where to start but here it goes.  The following happened in New Iberia City Court as told to me by my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. My brother-in-law broke the law and drove without a license. He was told by the judge to pay a past ticket in New Orleans, obtain a valid driver’s license and return to court. He dug his own hole and he had to climb out of it.

As he is waiting to be called, he notices the judge is asking the defendants if they are employed. When they respond they are not employed they are given unsupervised probation. He watches as 2 unemployed people being charged with and pleading guilty to ROBBERY of 2 separate local businesses being given sentences of 1 year UNSUPERVISED probation each. They paid no restitution or court cost. He watches as the judge hands out sentences of unsupervised probation to unemployed people with the same offense as his plus no insurance, no registration, etc.  They did not bother to obtain a license or register the vehicle they were driving before returning to court. When he is called, he is asked if he is unemployed. He responds yes. The judge throws out the charge of no driver’s license, because he has obtained one, and sentences him to $200 court cost! He has to have this $200 or go to jail for 5 days thereby losing his job!  He had the money, he works.

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I understand he was wrong for not paying his ticket and allowing his license to lapse. The part I don’t understand is, why is he given a monetary fine just because he WORKS? This man has taken in juvenile family members plus raised 6 of his own children.  He and his wife have struggled to stay employed to raise all of these children. Every one of those children work for a living.

After hearing about this huge miscarriage of justice just because the man WORKS for a living, I have no pity for people who choose to live poor and uneducated. Go to school, get a JOB and climb out of the hole YOU HAVE DUG YOURSELF IN just like everybody else has to.

The judges should absolutely be ashamed of themselves. No restitution, no community service or nothing to pay for the wrong they did. How do these judges sleep at night punishing a hard working man and allowing others to walk out with nothing but a pat on the wrist? What about the 2 businesses that were ROBBED? Do the owner’s have any say so in the punishment of the people who stole from them? Where is the victim advocate system?

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Comments

    DptyClerk wrote on Jul 21, 2009 7:05 AM:

    " Don't hire an Iberia Parish Attorney? Did you know that a number of our lawyers have regional practices, representing clients from Lafayette, Crwoley, Abbeville? One gets people from as far away as New Orleans and Alexandria. So stop with the 'don't hire an Iberia Parish attorney. Of course, like everywhere else, we have our bad ones, but the good ones are among the best in the State. "

    outsidelookingin wrote on Jul 20, 2009 8:50 PM:

    " All posistions in the Parish should be an elected posistion---NOT Appointed--This would get rid of career dead heads like our compliance officer for one--All Louis Ackal has to do to be able to take on more prisoners (IF the Parish would give the man what he deserves and needs to operate) would be to copy what Maricopa County Arizona has done and that is to put the excess prisoners in tents with a cot---- They are prisoners- "

    long way away wrote on Jul 20, 2009 8:16 PM:

    " To:All yall!!! I"ve been in that courthouse so many times i started representing myself as my own lawyer and they hated it.Im now living far away from New Iberia because of it but I still look in every now then cuz its where im from but anyway....and no im not in prison or anything like that in fact im living a very happy life now..
    NEW IBERIA,LOUISIANA COURT'S SYSTEM IS AS CROOKED AS THE CEO'S OF THE BANKS IN THE BAILOUTS!!And just little advice to everyone:Dont hire an Iberia Parish attorney "

    Brown Nose wrote on Jul 20, 2009 7:37 PM:

    " To Attorney at Law:

    Could you be bning? "

    Attorney at Law wrote on Jul 17, 2009 11:40 PM:

    " Observations about this "injustice"......
    Clue #1: "As told to me" by my brother-in-law. I would be willing to bet that the sequence of events were twisted along the way(such a long story and all).
    Clue #2:Was it robbery or simple shoplifting? After all, this is City Court and last I checked, all "robbery" charges are classified as a felony.
    If brother-in-law is confused about which court building he was in, then it is safe to assume that he would not understand court proceedings.
    I applaud a hard working man. Good for him. Just something not right about this story......... "

    Reule Broussard wrote on Jul 17, 2009 10:29 PM:

    " Mr. Hertz, the judge lectures all of the people accused of various crimes, about their naughtiness. Its like one of those hairdo type grade school teachers chastising her pupils about the ills of writing on their desks. The problem is that he goes on and on and on.

    Then he always tries to relate to the crowd by casually mentioning that he enjoys his beer, but in the comfort of his home and he never gets on the road after drinking.

    Sitting on those hard pews listening to all of this is really torture. "

    he does his job wrote on Jul 17, 2009 8:46 PM:

    " Can't be that bad of a judge. He's been running unopposed since 1980. "

    Friend of the man wrote on Jul 17, 2009 6:24 PM:

    " I'm personally disgusted by what I've read in most of these posts. Judge Segura has been do what is just for over 20 years now. All of a sudden because one man sat in court a was given a fine for doing wrong you all hate Segura? Some of you thugs know him personally I'm sure, hence the fake outrage. You were wrong when you appeared before him also weren't you? In reality Iberians it doesn't matter who the magistrate is you thugs will hate the next one also. I say no mercy Judge Segura. "

    Justice wrote on Jul 17, 2009 6:17 PM:

    " Disgusted, there is an old saying believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see. People have a way of telling you only the portion of the story they want you to hear. Your brother-in-law chose to break the law. No matter who appeared before the judge in his presence it doesn't mean he would have been given the same sentence. It's like a fight. If you don't knock the other guy out you leave it to the judges. You never know what you'll end up with. Suck it up brother-in-law. "

    Corrector 2 wrote on Jul 17, 2009 6:50 AM:

    " Judge Segura never yells or loses his temper, he is always courteous, and his sentences are consistent. So, if you don't know what you are talking about, don't write! RS "

    Corrector wrote on Jul 17, 2009 6:48 AM:

    " The first mistake is that your brother-in law did not see anybody go in front of Judge Segura for robbery. Robbery is a felony and is not a crime that city Court hears. Secondly, how is the Judge responsible for witnesses when the accuseds don't show up. Third, he is bound to follow the law - the law is what is screwed up, not the Judge that administrers it. The punishments are set out by law. Were he to just do as pleased and ignore the law, you people would be complaining about that. "

    D. Hertz wrote on Jul 16, 2009 11:33 PM:

    " To Reule Broussard.

    Why do you think the judge is so arrogant? What are the boring lectures about?

    This seems like a real joke of a court. "

    Reule Broussard wrote on Jul 15, 2009 4:56 PM:

    " Get ready, because it doesn't end here for us working stiffs.

    We are fixing to have to pay the health insurance for ALL people who CHOOSE not to work.

    God, help us, really, I am not joking, please help us stop this nonsense. "

    Reule Broussard wrote on Jul 15, 2009 4:53 PM:

    " This is a travesty. That judge is really arrogant and pompous. He thinks everyone enjoys his long-winded stories and lectures. He really succeeds at boring us to tears, and keeping the crowds from getting back to work. I missed a whole day of work just to hear that the case I was a witness for was dismissed. No apologies or nothing. Like I was supposed to be impressed or something. Keep your dinky little court. "

    chuck wrote on Jul 15, 2009 11:02 AM:

    " Yes our JUSTICE system sucks because we elected these officals into office to work for us the working people,but the nonr working run the city and the streets,we don't have a chance because we support the non working.GOD HELP US PLEASE "

    D. Hertz. wrote on Jul 13, 2009 10:44 PM:

    " to: JoAnn.

    Maybe we could sell some of Ackal's shiney new cars and pay a lawyer to take the job. "

    JoAnn wrote on Jul 12, 2009 11:43 PM:

    " Speaking of city court, we desperately need a new city prosecutor. The one we have now is an embarrassment to the concept of justice, but this is what you get with such a low salaried position. Scrapping the bottom of the barrel right now because no one with a brain wanted to run. The only reason any lawyer would want to be our low paid city prosecutor is to act like a big shot and go on a personal power trip. It's sad to watch this injustice which passes for justice in our city court. "

    pay up or shut up wrote on Jul 12, 2009 11:18 PM:

    " If you want a new jail, that will be $20 million to build it and $5 million a year to run plus upkeep. "

    ME wrote on Jul 12, 2009 1:28 PM:

    " How dare you DHERTZ recommend sending them to Marsh Island. Why would you want to take away the only bastion of good left for those of us who work and enjoy the outdoors. Lets send them somewhere appropriate and have them hunt the birds everyone is complaining about by the airport for their food and upkeep. That way two problems would be solved and no one would have to lose their enjoymenty of Marsh Island LOL "

    D. Hertz wrote on Jul 11, 2009 3:39 PM:

    " You know a lot of these people would probably test positive for illegal drugs. Why don't we pass a new tax and build an enormous jail and put all of these people in it? We could build it on Marsh Island, and make those people hunt and fish for their food.

    That judge is WRONG for letting this go on. "

    retired judge wrote on Jul 11, 2009 2:20 PM:

    " Let's have a march to the courhouse and demand the judge come out and also demand JUSTICE and if the judge refuses to be just in rendering his senteances, let's meet again and get a petition and recall that JUDGE OFF THE BENCH, AFTER ALL THE JUDGE WORKS FOR THE TAXPAYERS TO ACT AS AN INTERVENTIONIST AND RENDER JUST DECSIONS, NOT UNJUST ONES "

    neworleanscajun wrote on Jul 11, 2009 9:47 AM:

    " Another example of rewarding people for bad behavior...in this case, breaking the law with impunity. Clearly the unemployed people have enough to buy a car and pay for gas, but they've been given a pass on having to pay for insurance.

    So, in addition to paying for all of their living expenses, we working people have to pay higher insurance rates in case we're in an accident with one of the leeches, just like we have to pay more at hospitals to cover these indigents.

    I say take their cars away. "

    Taxpayer wrote on Jul 10, 2009 12:04 PM:

    " Your brother in law piad because he has money, because he works. The bums didn't pay because they have no money and there is no room in the inn!! Your ATV was never recovered because the CIty Marshal didn't have time to serve the CIty court warrant, when you spend more time on the golf course than in you office. Then with all ot this said, the judge thinks he's god, just sit back and watch, this is your tax money at work. "

    Willie wrote on Jul 10, 2009 8:39 AM:

    " All you have to do is buy the judge a few beers at the Lazy Lounge , and , he'll give you a break! "

    bigdaddy wrote on Jul 10, 2009 7:04 AM:

    " threadprotector, there is only one judge for the city of new iberia, mike. "

    D. Hertz wrote on Jul 9, 2009 10:42 PM:

    " I am outraged also. Looking at the issues, it seems that this judge cannot just put people in jail, because Ackal doesn't have enough room in the jail. Simply put, there is no place to put the losers.

    All of this bleeding heart-type attitudes in this country have delivered us a joke for a population "

    Waiting for Justice wrote on Jul 9, 2009 4:50 PM:

    " To: Threadprotector The judge was Robert Segura! As far as I know he's the only one! "

    Why wrote on Jul 9, 2009 4:50 PM:

    " Why is there no fairness for the working people? Aren't our tax money that is taken from our paychecks helps the less fortunate? But we are the bad guys?

    People who don't work can go and get a crazy check or etc and get more money a month that working people who worked all their life would get if trhey needed help. No fairness in that.....grown folks chose to be a label than get out and be productive citizens.


    Thought doing right got you somewhere?

    Guess Not! "

    is what it is wrote on Jul 9, 2009 1:04 PM:

    " I don't disagree with your outrage, but at the same time, what do you expect him to do? They have no job, so the only money he can take is that which they are getting in government benefits. One branch of government taking the dollars the other branch of government gave out. In other words a fine punishes us, not them. Sad, but I understand the logic. "

    threadprotector wrote on Jul 9, 2009 12:53 PM:

    " WHO WAS THE JUDGE? Please, all of this rambling on and on about injustice and you don't bother tell us who the judge was. "

    citizen wrote on Jul 9, 2009 12:47 PM:

    " everyone knows the city judge in New Iberia is a joke. "

    Billy Macks Grill Shack wrote on Jul 9, 2009 12:29 PM:

    " You are right to be livid. They should have done time. As for your brother in law having to pay because he works, and they don't have to pay because they don't work, well I am sure it is a case of the judge knowing that you can't get blood out of a turnip, but you can put that turnip in jail, or at least make the turnip pick up litter that all the lowlife losers throw on the roadside. "

    me wrote on Jul 9, 2009 12:17 PM:

    " First off they could not have been in a City court for Robbery as Robbery is defined as a felony in the State of Louisiana and must be handled in District Court. It was probably misdameanor Theft they were there for. That being said let's go to the real meat. You are right there is no fairness for working people in the Court or life in general. We have become a nation of handouts to worthless bums and no personal responsibility for any actions, with the institutions just feeding the pig. VOTE EM ALL OUT I say. "

    Wait ing for justice wrote on Jul 9, 2009 12:07 PM:

    " Years ago I too went before the same judge, but I went to get justice! Some thugs stole my ATV. When the defendants who were charged didn't show up the judge told me he would issue a bench warrent for them! Well some months later I was still waiting and my wife had jury duty and when she went to court she saw one of the boys that had stole my ATV being arraigned for some other charge at the parish court! I am still waiting 20 years later for my justice from the City Court Judge!!! "

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