A criminal conviction can have a big impact on a person's future. Even misdemeanors, which are typically less serious criminal convictions, can alter the direction of a person's life. One former jail deputy for Multnomah County was sentenced on Sept. 25 on a misdemeanor charge.
According to prosecutors, this man was working in the jail when he forced a female inmate to perform a sex act on him. The woman reported the officer and soon after, officials swabbed the man's genitals and found the woman's DNA. After an investigation, the man pleaded guilty to official misconduct -- a misdemeanor.
Because of this accusation, charge and the subsequent guilty plea, the deputy had to resign his position with the county jail. In addition to having to pay $2,500 worth of compensation to the victim, the man was sentenced to two years of probation and also had to give up his correctional certification. Without this certification the man will never be able to work as a correctional officer again. He will also be on probation for the next two years.
In order to prevent even harsher punishment, the man struck a plea deal with the prosecution. The prosecution was willing to negotiate since the victim had made statements that made officials believe she may have been trying to use the incident to get money from the county.
In most situations, the best way to avoid severe criminal consequences is to mount a vigorous defense. Prosecutors are willing and able to seek maximum punishments for seemingly minor crimes. Those who have been accused of misdemeanors need to protect their rights and take these types of charges seriously.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle, "Deputy gets probation for sex act with inmate," Sept. 25, 2012
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