Online Petition Rages As Judge Gave Man 60 Years For Driving With Suspended License

by Benson Agoha | Law and Society

An online petition started on Change.Org platform on Tuesday has notched almost 7,200 of the 7,500 signatures needed to urge, Howard C. Forman, Clerk of the Broward County Court, Florida to remove Judge Matthew Destry from the Bench, for illegal sentencing.

* Sentenced: Herbert Smith (Credit: via Change.org)



Petitioner Ratonya Dumas of Fort Lauderdale, Florida alleges that Judge Matthew Destry was guilty of illegal sentencing, especially of people of colour.

It comes after the learned judge sentenced a black motorist to 60 years in prison for possessing and driving with a suspended Driver's License.

 

In a post on her Instagram page titled "Holdingitdown4U" (bottom), Ms Dumas wondered why the learned judge had failed to award similar harsh sentences to people of other races who have committed bigger crimes.

 

In her petition, she explained what happened. Read it in her own words:

 

[ "On Tuesday November 24, 2015 a young man by the name of Herbert Smith was sentenced to 60yrs in prison for a simple violation of probation due to a drivers license suspension charge, by Judge Matthew Destry of the Broward County Clerk of Courts."

"This judge has been known for over sentencing people of color I've read several articles and several people have spoken about this judge as far as to how they were unfairly treated. We will not sit around and allow these types of injustices to go on we want justice."

"Minimum mandatory sentencing guidelines are a violation of our constitutional rights it gives the judge the right to lock  people away and throw away the key, I've seen murderers and rapist get less harsher sentences, This judge is unfair and needs to be removed from the bench because he doesn't have the best interest for people of color.

 

"Please sign this petition if you fully understand why it's important to stand up against inequality and injustice in the courts." ]

* The Instagram post by Ratonya Dumas (below)

* Petitioner: Ratonya Dumas in her instagram photo.
 

 To see, sign or comment on this petition click on [ PETITION ].