really thinking about ‘criminalizing prank phone calls in Wisconsin that may make the current state governor look a little - foolish, inane, gullible, moronic, slow… well I think you get the picture (re: fake Koch calling Walker to congratulate him on ultra conservative moves) and by the way take your choice of any of those descriptors to fill in the blanks about your opinion or add one of your own).
If it appears that I am somewhat aghast at the notion of a legislative body taking time - and money which according to them is in such short supply that they are willing to unilaterally slash worker’s rights - to mold the law for what certainly seems to be their own personal purposes - well, then you are correct.
You see, I work as a criminal defense attorney and have had ample opportunity to study and work within the confines of what is considered criminal by the American public at large. For the most part I am in support of these laws that say such things as murder, robbery and rape are criminal offenses that should be accompanied by prison terms and fines if a person is convicted or found guilty of breaking them.
However, when the party that is in power chooses to - for want of a better term - hijack the legislative process for the purpose of preventing their buddies from ending up with egg on their face - well, I suggest the American public would not be fully in support of this.
Wisconsin legislators want their citizenry to have the right to vote for pay raises for their teachers. How about if they vote on whether or not it legal to use a phone to call the persons they put in office - even if it is to chide them a bit?
And does criminalizing prank phone calls run counter to our First Amendment right to free speech?
David Breston is a Fort Bend County attorney. Contact the law offices of David Breston at 713-224-4040 or 888-220-4040 if you need a Fort Bend County lawyer.
