***Spoilers***
I really enjoyed the majority of the show, I thought the actors did a phenomenal job, especially the assistant district attorney and the cop... I think his name was Fish. Anyway... on to the ending, it's like the writer didn't even research the law or judicial process, after the show was over, I didn't even think that light of a sentence was possible... and it's not! If they only went with the primary charge, and got a conviction, the crime classification requires a 5-10 year sentence. That doesn't even include any additional charges they most likely would have added on, especially since he was on duty when it happened. There are federal statues which would have been used like oppression under color of law and local charges like manslaughter and negligent homicide which most likely would have been added. Don't believe me? Here's straight from the NJ penal code: "New Jersey Penalties For Knowingly Leaving Scene Of Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting In Death (N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1) Charges Knowingly Leaving Scene of Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting in Death (N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1) is a New Jersey statute that provides a number of potentially sweeping penalties to those charged. First, conviction under N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1 is a second degree crime, meaning that you can be sentenced to between five and 10 years, with fines of up to $150,000"
I really enjoyed the majority of the show, I thought the actors did a phenomenal job, especially the assistant district attorney and the cop... I think his name was Fish. Anyway... on to the ending, it's like the writer didn't even research the law or judicial process, after the show was over, I didn't even think that light of a sentence was possible... and it's not! If they only went with the primary charge, and got a conviction, the crime classification requires a 5-10 year sentence. That doesn't even include any additional charges they most likely would have added on, especially since he was on duty when it happened. There are federal statues which would have been used like oppression under color of law and local charges like manslaughter and negligent homicide which most likely would have been added. Don't believe me? Here's straight from the NJ penal code: "New Jersey Penalties For Knowingly Leaving Scene Of Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting In Death (N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1) Charges Knowingly Leaving Scene of Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting in Death (N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1) is a New Jersey statute that provides a number of potentially sweeping penalties to those charged. First, conviction under N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1 is a second degree crime, meaning that you can be sentenced to between five and 10 years, with fines of up to $150,000"