Quote Originally Posted by JennK13 View Post
What about the victim and his earning potential prior to injury? The guy is a surgeon who will now be in pain and unable to work as he 0previously did.
Um, did you actually read the news coverage?

That's the whole point of restitution -- it's an attempt to make up for some of what the victim lost, and it is part of sentencing in the criminal justice system. The prosecutor claims that keeping the guy's earning ability (and the possibility of a civil suit) played a role in his decision because there will be "significant" restitution. That could be nonsense, or it could be true.

He says the plea bargain is actually "more punitive" than what the victim wants (conditional felony). I haven't found anywhere the complete details of the plea bargain -- the two misdemeanor counts could mean two years in jail, but will they?

I thought it would be interesting to consider -- and I still think that, but obviously not here.