43
Employment an issue in suspension cases
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
Employment was a big issue for two people who both have five open suspensions on their driver’s licenses, as they were sentenced in municipal court Monday for driving under suspension.
Under the terms of his probation, Rodrick Jackson, 29, must get a full-time job within six months and keep it for at least six months after he is done serving the last three days of a 30-day jail sentence imposed by Judge Elizabeth Kobly and for a probation violation for an additional driving under suspension charge by Judge Robert Milich.
Takeisha Williams, 26, was sentenced to 30 days’ house arrest for a July 16 driving-under-suspension citation she got while driving herself to work. It was the third driving-under-suspension offense she has had since May. The maximum jail sentence for the charge is 30 days in the county jail.
Jackson was taken into custody July 29 at home on West Ravenwood during a raid by the vice squad. He was charged with drug paraphernalia and animal-cruelty offenses, after a dog belonging to him was found confined in a basement full of urine and feces, and he had a warrant for driving under suspension. The dog was seized by animal-control officers. He pleaded no contest to those charges and the driving-under-suspension charge and was found guilty.
Jackson said he will be a father shortly, with his girlfriend expecting twins. Judge Kobly lamented the $200-plus in fines and costs he had to pay could have been used for more important things.
“That money could’ve been used to buy baby clothes,” Judge Kobly said.
Jackson said he was trying to pay on his reinstatement fees on his previous driving-under-suspension charges to get his license back. Judge Kobly said he needs the license to get a job to take care of his children.
“I hope, Mr. Jackson, you want your children to have a better life than you have,” Judge Kobly told him. “And that’s not going to happen unless you take care of your business. You need to get off the couch and do what you need to do.”
Williams also pleaded no contest and was found guilty of her charge of driving under suspension. It is her fifth conviction in three years and third since May. She pleaded no contest to another charge June 25, was fined then caught driving again July 16 and fined again. Judge Kobly said perhaps jail is needed to get her to stop driving.
Williams’ lawyer, Terry Grenga, told the judge her client has a license but her insurance has lapsed several times, which caused it to be suspended. Grenga said the reinstatement fee for driving without insurance is $650. Williams owes more than $2,300 in reinstatement fees to get her license back.
Grenga said her client works full time and is caring for a child. Since her last arrest on a charge of driving under suspension, her mother now takes her to work, Grenga said. But Judge Kobly said that a sentence stronger than fines was needed to stop Williams from driving until she gets her license back.
“I appreciate your trying to do the right thing, but you’ve shot yourself in the foot with your prior convictions, and I can’t ignore that,” Judge Kobly said.
The judge gave Williams a choice between 10 days in jail or 30 days on house arrest for which Williams must pay. Williams chose the house arrest.
The judge warned her that if she is caught driving again, she will impose the 30-day jail sentence.