More on Rigas' Sentences- A Different Perspective

Many were concerned with the Court's decision in Booker and what effect it might have in white collar cases.  These individuals can sleep easy tonight as the sentences issued today, to father and son Rigas, far exceed many we saw in pre-guidelines years.  These sentences of 15 and 20 years send a clear message that the so-called advisory role of the guidelines will not be letting those convicted of white collar offenses off the hook easy.

Others, however,  may not sleep so easy tonight knowing that an 80 year old man is facing 15 a years in prison and his son 20 years.  They will be asking themselves: Are we safer in society by sending these two men away for this number of years?   Now lets see - - 20 years is the same amount of time the government agreed to allow John Walker Lindh to plead to for the crime of "supplying services to the Taliban." (Lindh plea agreement).

(esp)