Many questions are being asked, and Zach Jesse has an attorney who has wisely advised him to answer none. His attorney made this statement. “If Zach passes the Virginia bar exam, he will have a hearing before the character and fitness committee of the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners to determine if he will become a member of the Virginia State Bar. I anticipate that the members of the committee will be asking the same types of questions you want to ask, so you can understand that I can’t let Zach answer questions on or off the record prior to his formal hearing.”If Zach is admitted to the Virginia State Bar, he will be the first felon and certainly he first registered sex offender to earn that honor.
But why? There have been other such applicants. One who did not succeed with the character and fitness committee had been merely charged with a sexual crime; he was not convicted.
Is rehabilitation not recognized as a possibility? Should we not reward, or at least acknowledge, those who demonstrate it? In general, criminal justice systems profess to hold rehabilitation as a goal equal to just punishment. Virginia, however, on their official criminal justice website, doesn't even give rehabilitation lip service; they instead publish, "Welcome to the Web site of Virginia’s Judicial System. Our aim is to assure that disputes are resolved justly, promptly, and economically through a court system unified in its structures and administration."
Well. Promptly and economically. And justly. Not hoping for rehabilitation. Not making it a priority that those passing through the system are encouraged to repent, to strive to do better, to work hard to succeed--which makes it all the more remarkable that Zachery Jesse has done exactly that.
If odds were being given that Zach will end up practicing law in Virginia--or anywhere--I doubt many, if any, would take the bet.
But on the other hand, Zach is most clearly a young man who has proven he can beat the odds.
Zach, the best of luck to you. I hope you succeed. My money is on you.
About 237 years ago the leaders of our country gathered to form a new Government. This land would encourage freedom, democracy and fulfillment. This would be the land of opportunity for all...FOR ALL. Zach's time was completed, service rendered. Let him be an Attorney, his goal in life. More power to you Zach..Good luck!
ReplyDeleteSloan44
I am positive there are plenty of practicing attorneys who made mistakes, committed crimes. Just never caught. Or had a connection that got them out of trouble. This guy sounds like he is trying to overcome his mistake/crime. He must be a really great student and/ or worked very hard. I'd choose him as my attorney!
ReplyDeleteNo thanks. Zach would not have this chance if he wasn't rich and white. He violated someone in the most intimate way possible. He vaginally and anally raped someone who was unconscious. He plead guilty. He shouldn't be a lawyer, and he shouldn't have a full ride to law school.
ReplyDeleteIn the interest of accuracy, he plead guilty to sexual battery. He did not plead guilty to the crimes you and the the article state, and they will not be reflected on his criminal record. And, unless you know something I don't, which certainly is possible, there is nothing to indicate either his ethnicity or his economic level.
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