Anonymous asked this question on 3/5/2000:

How can a man, that was caught exposing himself and with a record for being a pedophile get off with just paying fines. After he exposed himself on several occassions to 2 little girls.?

d_ottr gave this response on 3/11/2000:

The answer is several things: pantywaste judges who are unwilling to place people in jail for real crimes is part of the problem. They become preoccupied with prison census counts, and wagering in their minds that a "REAL" criminal who really deserves to be locked up will come along so they can sent them up the river. Second, district or prosecuting attorneys who are willing to sacrifice the victims for the sake of brevity and plea bargain these things out. "Oh, I don't think that we have a very good case. Will your child be able to testify in court?" In some cases it is a real gambit: chance putting witnesses on the stand to be embarassed or discredited, or chance having the perpetrator walk away scott free in the event of a "Not Guilty" (not to be confused with INNOCENT) verdict. Another aspect is mentioned before, with social service agencies and their touchy-feely approach. I'd much rather take the advocates for the Criminally culpable and the victims and put them in a room to sock it out between themselves. The team with the stronger advocate wins!