WSVN reports that a Broward judge has sentenced a man accused of a deadly
hit and run wreck back in 2009 that allegedly killed two tourists.
In a plea to the court, the accused's
criminal defense attorney asked for a non-incarceration plea. Based on the need for restitution, the judge decided that compensating the victims' families was more important that imposing a prison sentence.
Furthermore, the judge ordered the accused to wear an ankle monitoring bracelet while on community control. He will also serve 10 years of
probation and can never drive a car in the State of Florida again.
The accused was charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident (LSA) causing death.
The criminal attorney entered an open plea to the court because the prosecutor wanted a sentence of 10 years in prison. The judge, departing downward from the Florida Criminal Punishment Code guidelines, decided that the accused's family had the ability to pay restitution, which would compensate the families of the victims. This is a difficult decision for a judge, but I believe that the judge felt that making the victims' families whole was more beneficial than sentencing the accused to prison time.
Eric Matheny is a criminal lawyer serving Miami-Dade and Broward. Call today to discuss your case.