Carlton County Attorney returns to work after receiving alcohol treatment
August 20, 2012 at 7:00 pm in Duluth News Tribune
Carlton County Attorney Thom Pertler returned to work in his office Monday after receiving treatment at the Hazelden alcohol and drug addiction treatment center in Center City, Minn.
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Now get back to work and prosecute those drunks!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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First of all, the concern for his health. Best estimate I can make is that he’s was in treatment for a month. After losing one job and endangering the citizens he is supposed to be protecting, is one month of treatment really enough?
Secondly, as a public prosecutor, who happens to work a lot of drunk driving cases, why does he still HAVE this job?
Third, where’s the punishment?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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The biggest punishment he’ll get is for the refusal to test and that’s about it.
Pertler flat out needs to go. After two alcohol-related incidents, plus a hit & run he was involved in he’s showing a clear pattern of poor behavior, which has to have Fred Friedman and the rest of the defense attorneys rubbing themselves in pleasure.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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That is exactly what I thought- ONE month treatment? Maybe he has outpatient followup- like he was assesed and they said,”ok, you have an alcohol problem-goodbye.” I think it was-”Oh we should do something- but what? Oh, send him to Hazeldon for an evaluation.” I am thinking he still has his job because it was not an on the job error. There are a lot of people who are alcoholics or recovering still on the job, I don’t know the answer. Maybe just maybe he will see people in his court in a different light and realize how serious the situation is when they appear before him and give them a real sentence instead of a slap on the hand- oh, that’s what he got- right?
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He makes the rest of us who stuggle every day with staying sober, working our program and making amends a JOKE. He got off easy and most likely did not learn anything about the First Step.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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I wouldn’t read much into the 30 day thing. A lot has to do with the insurance and how long they cover. He might be an out-paitent for sometime.
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I’m not sticking up for the guy, just saying 30days might be all his insurance would cover. He’s probably required to do after-care.
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Sqirrelgarden, maybe this is his rockbottom and you know that’s what it takes.
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The only joke, is that you think it is your place, to take His inventory.
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Oswald, I didn’t judge him, I said maybe.
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Oswald, remember what they say about resentment and what anger turned inward does to you. I wish you many years of being sober.
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It’s a good thing he wasn’t picked up at the Thompson Hill rest stop.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Really? How ignorant are people??
#1: There’s been no punishment yet because his case hasn’t yet been adjudicated in St. Louis County Court. Generally, unless the legal system in this country has changed trial (or plea) comes before punishment.
#2: Why hasn’t he lost his job? Because he’s an elected official. If you want him out of office either a. recall him (WI has had so much luck with that NOT), or b. Vote him out of office next go around (good luck finding a competent replacement though as prosecutors are paid diddly compared to private practice attorneys).
So rather than whining and complaining that it’s not fair, that he hasn’t been punished, blah blah blah, how about you let the system (to include the democratic voting process) do it’s job. Not saying what he did was right, and not saying he should remain in office…but it takes time for elections etc. Use a little common sense.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Those of us working in the field represent the system as well as co-workers. Our actions effect also our familes and loved ones.
Driving drunk may kill families as well as anyone near the road you drive. He will be punished on many levels but I expect the court will make an example of him and hit him hard. If they do not then the system will appear unfair. Maybe the news paper should look up some of the cases he’s covered that had the same history and charges. Lets see what those folks got. He should not get more or less then them.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Not to condone any wrong this man may have done, it saddens me this community is so quick to ruin someones life. I would much sooner see this man get help and on a road to recovery with now a better understanding of the individuals he will need to prosecute in the future. None of you know what caused this mans problems, be it cases he has been involved with, or personal life issues. Punish, yes, but I read so much hatred. Seems like I am the only man willing to help this man, what sort of country have we become…….?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Enabling and dummy down the offense will not assist anyone. He was lucky he did not take out others on the highway and we all have problems and choose not to drink and drive. When you drink and drive the vechicle becomes a weapon. Harsh perhaps but a drunk driver does not need a pass nor excuses.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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He’s had three high-profile incidents involving alcohol and/or vehicles in the last year or so. How long do people need to coddle him?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Thank you Jayson Smith and Bob. (“Serenity Prayer” for us all)
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Mr. Pertler CHOSE to check into Hazelden. He has NOT appeared yet in court so we do not have ANY idea what penalty he will receive. I hope he is able to shake his addiction and anybody who wants him out of office….in his next run for office get to the polls and vote him out.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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I am thinking that he chose to go to Hazeldon to be evaluated and maybe go into out patient- but was it for himself or being that he has tried these cases- did he know a judge would look more favorably on a person who voluntarily sought evaluation and outpatient services before he was brought before a judge? He’s a lawyer- I ‘m sure he knows wht the right thing to do is to make himself look good.
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I’m thinking since he’s had problems before his choices were resign or go to treatment. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. Either way he got help. By helping him a lot of other people are being helped also.
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I hope that after the Spin Dry, he finds a really good after-care program and really works at it.
As far as punishment, I hope it’s something harsh enough to be an attention getter because, as far as drinking and driving, he seems to be a bit of a slow learner.
I would hope that it wasn’t punitive, as in making an example of him though.
And I sincerely hope that the whole thing results in an attitude adjustment for him cuz, he kinda needs one.
I’m really happy that the whole thing took place in St. Louis county rather than Carlton too. History indicates that had it happened in Carlton county, pretty much nothing would have happened.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Trusting Mark Rubin in St. Louis County is no better.
Megan Anderson was alone at work when Jesaiah Carlson murdered her. Then when he was in jail he called his wife & told her to destroy the evidence, which she did, and was arrested. Rubin sat on his hands the entire time, and then when the killer was convicted, he dropped the charges against her “in the name of justice”.
And do we need to remember the handling of the Julie Gronski case?
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Just an FYI….28-30 days is pretty standard for any drug/alcohol treatment program.
Long term treatment may be advisable for people with other mental health issues and/or people who haven’t been able to maintain sobriety with the standard 30 days.
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To steal some lines from the Gautheir coverage…
“I think his political career has been damaged to the point where it’s irreparable…”
“It’s sad, but at this point, I think it’s not only in the [office's]interests but in [Pertler’s] own personal interests for him to leave office.“
“The conduct was wrong, and no one in the [County Attorney's Office] condones the behavior.”
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Ted Kennedy drove off a bridge, probably drunk, and killed Mary Jo Koppeckney, unrepentent, with no treatment. Ted went on to a long career in the U. S. Senate representing the democrat stronghold of Massachusetts. He is still looked on with admiration by many in this state, of his same political persuasion. How is this different, other than this guy didn’t kill anyone?
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Standard Gross Misdemeanor (.16 BAC or higher) DUI sentencing with no plea bargaining (which he will probably try to do): $2000 fine — $1000 stayed for one year of no same or similar; 30 days electronic monitoring ($500); 1 year jail time — generally stayed with no same or similar; 20 hours Driving With Care class (~$400); MADD victims impact panel ($50); 1 to 2 years probation ($400); Ignition interlock device mandatory 1 year (~$2000, via DMV/DPS, not the courts).
Speaking from experience. Of course him being a lawyer, I would expect that he will try to get a reduced sentence — and the voluntary in-patient treatment looks good to a judge and prosecutor.
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Oh, and he’ll likely lose his drivers license for up to a year, need “whiskey plates” on any vehicle in his name, have to pay up to $800 to the state to get his drivers license back as well as pass the alcohol related written test.
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