Settlement

[Arthur Spitzer]

Jim Handerson asks:
>Is there more detail Art?

The press release is all I know.  But a careful indicates that until the ACLU
got on the case, the judge would not allow the defendant to serve his sentence
by doing any other kind of community service *except* attending church.
Alternative (non-religious) community service is exactly what the settlement
achieved.
Art Spitzer
__________
In a message dated 2/9/98 4:44:22 PM, JMHACLJ at AOL.COM wrote:

>In a message dated 98-02-09 13:44:44 EST, Art Spitzer wrote:
>
><< The settlement, filed on February 3d, calls for Justice of the Peace Bruce
>McDougal to "cease sentencing anyone to attend religious service and/or
>religious instruction as community service" and to allow the teenager, Zack
J.
>Smith, to participate in community service through an approved organization.
>>>
>
>Hmmm.  Why would the ACLU wish to prevent a judge from SENTENCING ANYONE to
>attend religious service and/or religious instruction as community service?
>Perhaps the press release quoted by Art misstates the issues and resolution,
>but if not, it seems to me that preserving the broadest array of potential
>forms of alternative correction is a good idea and that the deliberate
>exclusion of religious programs is a noxious one.
>
>Is there more detail Art?
>
>Jim Henderson
>ACLJ