register |  login
› PORT ST LUCIE
Loading Ad
Visit Other Hubs:
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Tower
Latest Postings

Story


Justice is not blind it sees the color green.

Contributed by: Therese Prinz on 7/6/2007

Hi, my name is Therese Prinz I have lived in Port St Lucie for 17 years moving here from Long Island, NY in 1990.
I have 3 children, when I moved here my two older children who were 19 and 21, grew up as teenagers on Long Island. I use to worry about them when they went out, worry about accidents, something might happen to them, worried about them getting their education, regular things. My younger son Danny was 10, so his teenage years he grew up here in Port St Lucie, what I worried about when he was out, I worried about the police that he would be arrested for something. The first time the police called me he was about 14, it was 9:00pm, he was with his girlfriend, his cousin and another friend, they stopped by to tell me they were going to Wags, (which is now Dennys) to get something to eat.
About 15 minutes later I received a phone call from a police officer asking me if I knew where my son was, I thought something must have happened to him, I told the police officer that he was on his way to the restaurant. The policeman told me he had him up at US 1 and Tiffany, and I would need to pick him up. I asked what happened, he stopped them because they were walking too slow across US 1. I was not permitted to pick up my niece or his girlfriend, their parents had to come and get them. That was my first encounter with the Port St Lucie police, and then it just continued, one time because they were talking to loud it was a Sunday afternoon in our complex, they were talking to a friend who lived on the second floor of the condo.
Things got worse, but by then most of the police officers knew his name. Once your in the system it is very difficult to get out.
I don't remember the first time I heard the saying come to St Lucie on vacation, end up on probation and then with a violation. But I found out that it is true. It is easy to see why Rock Rd is overcrowded.
My son Daniel Prinz is in jail again for a violation of probation, which he just can't seem to ever get off, the original charge was in 2002, it was a self defense plea, he was told to take the plea anything can happen if you take it to trial. It was self defense, he was attacked in my home, when I tried to stop the fight, I was thrown to the floor and the beating to my son continued. I was living in Spanish Lakes at the time, I paid cash for my mobile home, because of this incident, and he was staying with me. I was evicted, I still owned the mobile home but could not live in it, but I did have to pay the lot fee. So now I was without a home. For the plea he was given two years probation, he violated after the hurricanes for not changing his address immediately. He did not have a permanent address. When he went to the court for the VOP, you would have thought he committed murder, they wanted him to do 7 years in prison. The judge gave him another 4 years of probation with a 6pm curfew. He has not been out in the evening since he was 22 years old he his now 27, and still on probation for the original plea. This March he was homeless again, I can't afford to support him, I am renting a room in some one's house, Danny suffers from some mental issues and learning disabilities, he had no address again, he was sleeping in the woods. This is a violation again, he has been in jail since Memorial weekend, the sheriffs' picked him up as he was being admitted to New Horizons for mental help. He cannot afford an attorney, he spoke to the public defender, and she told him the state is offering a plea 4 years in prison, with no gain time. One of the conditions of his original probation was that if he paid $5000 restitution he would have his probation terminated. He did not have five thousand he still does not have $5000, so the bottom line is he was still on probation in March of 2007 because he could not pay the $5000. And he is now going to prison for 4 years. Justice is not blind, it does see the color green. There is justice for the rich and there is justice for the poor, and that is not how it should be.
I know I am not the only person in St Lucie that is having the same problem, how many people are still on probation for money, how many people can't get bond because they don't have the money, How many inmates family can use financial help, even helping the indigent inmates who don't have money in their canteen they can't even get underwear, paper ,socks unless they go thru the commissary The public defenders try to do the best they can, but they are overwhelmed.. It would take money to help the injustices going on in St Lucie County.. We need some programs that would help the released inmates get jobs, and housing., also help the families. I think if we all get together we could come up with some solutions to help.
If everyone would send in one dollar, more if they can afford it we can start a fund to help the people in St Lucie County. If we could collect enough money we could help many people. If anyone is interested in contributing or anyone who needs help please email me at wizeangel58@aol.com.



SUBMIT COMMENT

Rate the above story



Current Rating
Based on 1 user ratings.

Talk Back : submit comments to the story

*Note: you need to log-in to add a comment or rating.

Showing 1-6 of 6 comments
Submitted By: Therese Prinz
posted on 7/8/2007 @ 8:00:32 PM
(Not Rated)
In 2002 in the state of florida they did not have a self defense defense, they changed it a few years ago to the make my day law. He took a best interest plea for 2 years community service, he also was ordered 6 months in rehab for alcohol which he could not go unless he was court ordered. He needed the treatment. The state agreed to go below guidelines at sentencing because they knew it was self-defense.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Craig Bk
posted on 7/8/2007 @ 9:56:55 AM
Rated Story
If he was classified as self-defense he would not have been offered a plea-bargain for any crime since self-defense is considered justified there is no such thing as being on probabtion for self-defense. If you felt that he was not defended properly you can make a complaint with the judicial bar. CB Retired NYPD Certified FDLE Law Enforcement
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Therese Prinz
posted on 7/7/2007 @ 3:54:04 PM
(Not Rated)
The incident happened on 4/12/02, the other two dates were the dates he violated propation for the original charge for not having a home he violated 3/04/03 for no address, and again no address in 4/19/04, he did not commit another felony on those dates. He has not committed any crime since 2002. He is still on probation for the self defense in 2002.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Craig Bk
posted on 7/7/2007 @ 9:54:03 AM
Rated Story
Let's first look at your sons convictions: 04/12/2002 AGG BATTERY INTENDED HARM 03/04/2003 ST. LUCIE 0201335 2Y 0M 0D 04/12/2002 AGG BATTERY INTENDED HARM 04/19/2004 ST. LUCIE 0201335 2Y 0M 0D This isn't just a string of walking across the street - this is convicted battery - PROBATION FELONY Now reading the rest of my reply should convince the reader whether or not you shed crocodile tears.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Craig Bk
posted on 7/7/2007 @ 9:45:51 AM
Rated Story
Injustice? You want money and pity because your son is a convict? I can see how he went astray. Your story lost legs when you started off by stating that your concern for your son was him going and getting arrested. Don't blame the system, blame your parenting skills! Hard working people such as I pay too much in taxes in order to support the rehabilitation,(and better than some law-abiding citizens in the community) and living conditions in prison (i.e. three square meals, roof, and cable tv not to say the least about a free education) of criminals already – now you want a private fund? Why not help the homeless, or wounded veterans? I think if you want to be proactive you may want to collect money to help pay the restitution that your son owes, not to better his and other convict’s social ills and prison conditions. (cont)
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Craig Bk
posted on 7/7/2007 @ 9:39:40 AM
Rated Story
(cont) Think of the victim(s) first! If your son learned responsibility he wouldn't be in the position he is in now - but that lesson is first taught at home. You can’t expect to advocate for a wolf from a herd of sheep. If you want to help the violator side of the law just volunteer for work at the public defender’s office in order to assist in expediting cases. If you want to learn why your son was given a restitution amount it is the defense attorneys of the country that gives emphasis of what is called "Restorative Justice", as alternative to what we in the criminal justice field call "Adversarial Justice." I suggest that you look up this information, you may be grateful for what you find - your sons sentence could have been much worse.
[Report as objectionable]
Showing 1-6 of 6 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Therese Prinz

Port St Lucie , FL

Therese Prinz has posted 1 story and 3 comments since joining on 7/6/2007. Therese Prinz 's average story rating is 1.
SAVE AND SHARE THIS STORY
STORY RSS FEEDS
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Ad

Loading Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Ad

This YourHub.com community is produced by Scripps Treasure Coast Publishing Company
Web Development and Channel Analytics provided by Indigio

terms of use //  privacy policy
the staff //  advertise //  help & faq
site map //  subscribe //  about