Letter to the Editor: Resnick's run-in raises questions

February 7, 2005
Toledo Blade

I was born on a Wednesday, but not last Wednesday. I may be a little naive, but not that naive.

After reading the account of Justice Alice Resnick's run-in with the law, I cannot believe the back-tracking of Bowling Green city prosecutor Matt Reger. I ask all law-abiding citizens of Ohio: What if it had been you approached at the BP gas station and you gave your license and registration to two officers standing next to your vehicle, who happen to be explaining to you that other citizens had called in your plate number for erratic driving, and you "decided" that you'd just drive off? Do you believe they would just casually follow you down the highway?

So if I'm stopped and the officer doesn't actually say "you are under arrest," and he only "suggests" that I don't leave while he checks my driver's license and registration, and his lights and sirens are not activated as I drive off, then I'm not doing anything wrong?

I'm glad Justice Resnick didn't cause an accident or hurt someone else. What would the prosecutor offer as an excuse then?

This whole thing would make for a great skit on Saturday Night Live if it wasn't such a serious matter.

Linda James
Oregon

Justice should do the honorable thing

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Alice Robie Resnick will soon stand on the other side of the bar of justice and be punished for driving under the influence. She will lose her driving privileges, be fined, and told to go and sin no more. Case closed? Not on her life! Just ask Ray Kest if his DUI punishment was the end of his problems.

The voters and citizens of Ohio, and the rest of the world for that matter, demand that public officials - like Lot's wife, be without sin. Even more so their judges.

As a former Toledoan, I believe that Justice Resnick should do the honorable thing and resign. This act would restore a modicum of respect for her, and by extension for the judiciary. To do less would be an insult to Ohioans, who expect better of their judges.

Larry Hawkins
Seaside, Calif.

NEW: Justice Resnick pleads guilty to drunken driving
SENTENCE:
• $1,000 fine, with $500 suspended.
• Thirty-three days in jail, with 30 suspended and the option to do the three days in a certified treatment facility.
• A six-month license suspension and two years of inactive probation.
• $100 fine on a charge of failure to drive within marked lines.

Related Stories:
New video proves Resnick lied to police officers in initial stops

Resnick avoids charges of ''fleeing''; will change not-guilty plea Monday