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May 01, 2007

Um, So What?

I'm not sure why the AP feels this is some scandalous issue

OAKLAND, Calif. - The driver who crashed a tanker loaded with gasoline and brought down a heavily trafficked highway overpass had a history of criminal activity, including drug and burglary arrests, yet was given a commercial trucker's license.

James Mosqueda, 51, served two years and eight months in prison following a 1996 arrest for heroin possession in Sacramento County, court records show. His criminal rap sheet stretching back to 1981 includes arrests for burglary, felony drug charges and possession of stolen property, according to the California Department of Corrections and the Sacramento County District Attorney's office.

Yet Mosqueda was able to get his commercial truck driver's license because there is nothing in the state's vehicle code that prevents a convicted felon who has served his sentence from working as a truck driver — so long as he has a clear driving record, California Highway Patrol Chief Steve Vaughn said.

And that's as it should be, it seems to me. He served his time and unless the state wants to ensure that he have no option but return to crime you have to give the guy a chance to earn a living. If the theory is that criminals who serve their time are to be re-integrated into society then most professions need to be open to them.

Otherwise be prepared for a lot more burglary.

Posted by Mr. Bingley at May 1, 2007 07:16 AM

Comments

Agreed. He did his time.

And that was ten years ago that he was last sent to jail. At 51 years old, most of his violent tendencies will have been tapped out anyway, which to me the most important reason to put someone in jail. It doesn't take away stupid tendencies though.

Unless someone can show a connection between this accident and his past criminal behavior, this is a non-issue.

Posted by: Mike Rentner at May 1, 2007 07:38 AM

Ditto.

Posted by: tree hugging sister at May 1, 2007 07:47 AM

There are certain jobs a felon should be barred from. But truck driver is not one of them.

Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at May 1, 2007 10:15 AM

Just more fuzzy-headed thinking from the liberal MSM. They don't want three strikes laws, they want rehabilitation and other soft-on-crime measures for violent criminals, then they want ot bar people who serve their time from making an honest living, and rip the Constituion to shreds with sex offender registration.

It's simple. Keep the kiddie f#*&$ers in jail for life, and teach real life skills to the rest. Morons.

Posted by: John at May 1, 2007 01:01 PM