Pop star Justin Bieber was arrested yesterday morning in Miami Beach after allegedly drag racing a rented Lamborghini through a residential neighborhood while intoxicated. His smiling mug shot has been all over the news. Charged with DUI, Bieber faces up to six months in jail, 50 hours of community service, and a fine of $250 to $500. I doubt that the fine will make a big impression given his estimated annual income of $50 million to $70 million. In fact, Professor Doug Berman argues at Sentencing Law & Policy that all of the potential penalties in this case are far too lenient given the “persistent and enduring threat to public safety” inherent in impaired driving. The “Beliebers” may disagree, as a flock of his fans were waiting for Bieber upon his release. In other news: Moral Monday case update. WRAL recently posted this article, noting that about a third of the 900+ Moral Monday cases have now been resolved. Some defendants have entered into deferred prosecution agreements, some have been convicted, and others have had charges dismissed or have been acquitted. On Wednesday, the Wake County District Attorney’s Office announced that most charges that originated on May 20 will be dismissed due to insufficient video evidence from that date. Execution protocol news. The News and Observer reports here on the ongoing litigation over North Carolina’s execution protocol. The story is timely in light of last week’s controversial execution in Ohio, in which a novel combination of drugs was used. The condemned [...]
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