OTL Report on Preferential Treatment of Athletes

[Tea Rex]

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_...nfluence-factors-somes-avoid-criminal-charges


Pretty damning report but expected.

 

[8Jah]

More worried about the percentage of athletes among the accused and the repeat charges of athletes than the amount of accusations that get prosecuted. It makes sense that your prosecution rate is going to be way down for those with access to great legal representation(e.g. athletes, rich kids,...).

 

[MtnBuff]

There is no question that it is common on many campuses to "take care of" athletes accused of violations of the law or of of university rules.

The approach taken here though are presented in a very sensationalist manner because they neglect one key point. Fact is that athletes are far from the only people who either get charges reduced, dropped, or the charges are simply never pursued, this is the way the legal system commonly works for the majority of people.

Short of a significant crime of violence or some other major criminal act a person with a limited criminal record is often going to be offered a plea deal substantially reducing the charges. In many areas the courts and prosecutors go to great lengths to try to avoid giving young people a first conviction of the type that will significantly impact their abilities to function in the job market. They don't want to mess up anyone's future.

Then you get the cases that initially sound like a larger crime than the evidence later supports or times when the eventual development of the case lacks the evidence for a higher charge or any charge.

The ESPN figures are meaningless without making solid comparisons to how non-athletes are treated in these situations or the general public.

I am totally comfortable in saying that to make a statement about all athletes and programs based on a limited number of them is grossly wrong and paints many with an unfair brush.

 

[8Jah]

Note that the article compared the prosecution rate, once accused, of athletes vs the whole student body and found that the athlete rate was much lower. They pretty much say that is explained by the fact that athletes get much better representation. I am sure the rate is relatively low for kids from well-connected, rich families as well. So to me this rate, by itself, doesn't imply athletes are getting off the hook, but rather that your typical student isn't getting good legal support.

The more damning data is that (football and basketball) athletes represent a large number of prosecutions nonetheless and have a high rate for repeat offenses.

 

[J.R. Ewing]

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_...nfluence-factors-somes-avoid-criminal-charges


Pretty damning report but expected.

Did ESPN just do some sports journalism that said unpleasant things about blessed programs?

 

[DBT]

Did ESPN just do some sports journalism that said unpleasant things about blessed programs?

They feed the monster. I guess they can slap it's wrist from time to time. Maybe doing so eases their guilt. :lol:

 

[MiamiBuffs]

There is no question that it is common on many campuses to "take care of" athletes accused of violations of the law or of of university rules.

The approach taken here though are presented in a very sensationalist manner because they neglect one key point. Fact is that athletes are far from the only people who either get charges reduced, dropped, or the charges are simply never pursued, this is the way the legal system commonly works for the majority of people.

Short of a significant crime of violence or some other major criminal act a person with a limited criminal record is often going to be offered a plea deal substantially reducing the charges. In many areas the courts and prosecutors go to great lengths to try to avoid giving young people a first conviction of the type that will significantly impact their abilities to function in the job market. They don't want to mess up anyone's future.

Then you get the cases that initially sound like a larger crime than the evidence later supports or times when the eventual development of the case lacks the evidence for a higher charge or any charge.

The ESPN figures are meaningless without making solid comparisons to how non-athletes are treated in these situations or the general public.

I am totally comfortable in saying that to make a statement about all athletes and programs based on a limited number of them is grossly wrong and paints many with an unfair brush.

Role models for the role models?

 

[Gramburglar]

In other news bushes are bushy.
In the next segment we will find out how wet water really is...