Newest felony prospects sentenced (mandated) to AA and NA in Sherburne County, Minnesota July 2011

JR Harris's picture
Submitted by JR Harris on Sun, 04/22/2012 - 00:48

Minnesota, home of the Minnesota Model and Hazelden the unofficial training arm of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous 12 Step councilors and Interventionists (paid bounty hunters of the 12 Step faith) have just announced the newest batch of felony criminals sentenced to the 12 Step rooms in Sherburne County. Out of the 14 Felony convictions, only three were directly mandated to the rooms of AA or NA, the other ones are awaiting evaluations and probation. The evaluations and probation may require AA and NA attendance and is covered by Area 35, Disrict 5 in Alcoholics Anonymous.

http://www.area35.org/district/dist5.html

Shawn David Nims, 29, fifth-degree controlled substance crime – marijuana, imposition of sentence stayed five years on conditions including 60 days in jail, fined $300, ordered to abstain from alcohol and nonprescribed mood-altering substances, undergo random urinalysis, provide a DNA sample, attend Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, submit to random searches, continue programming at Riverplace and follow all recommendations, abstain from possession and use of dangerous weapons. Judge: Thomas D. Hayes.

Charles John Green, 48, first-degree controlled substance crime, methamphetamine, sentenced to 74 months in prison with execution stayed 10 years on conditions, fined $300, ordered to abstain from alcohol and nonprescribed mood-altering substances, undergo random urinalysis, provide a DNA sample, attend weekly AA or NA meetings, submit to random searches, abstain from possession and use of dangerous weapons. Judge: Thomas D. Hayes.

Joseph Allen Knotz, 44, fifth-degree controlled substance crime – marijuana, imposition of sentence stayed five years on conditions including 120 days in jail, fined $50 and ordered to abstain from alcohol and nonprescribed mood-altering substances, undergo random urinalysis, attend Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, abstain from use and possession of dangerous weapons, complete a Rule 25 evaluation and follow recommendations and provide a DNA sample. Judge: Karla Hancock.

Source: http://www.sctimes.com/article/20120422/NEWS01/304220027/Sherburne-Count...

Sherburne County requires that the probationer report the name of the group, the date attended and a verifying SIGNATURE and PHONE NUMBER.

Source: http://www.co.sherburne.mn.us/probation/documents/AA%20Verification.pdf

Sherburne County is extremely sparsely populated:

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 64,417 people, 21,581 households, and 16,746 families residing in the county. The population density was 148 people per square mile (57/km²). There were 22,827 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.73% White, 0.85% Black or African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. 1.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 40.1% were of German, 13.6% Norwegian, 7.5% Swedish and 6.2% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherburne_County

Comments

Clara's picture

Clara

Sun, 04/22/2012 - 07:17

What a shame. If he needs to be mandated to a group at all, why not one more fitting to his crime and circumstance?

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

avogadno's picture

avogadno

Sun, 04/22/2012 - 07:33

Clara does have a point about these sentencing's in which a person gets busted and HAS to go to meetings. When a using person doesn't want to go but does, the judge has just made it harder for any participant in those groups to get clean.

I remember the shares by just this type of person and ALWAYS wondered if I could score, if they were holding. In a matter of minutes my mind was diverted from focusing on recovery to more intently thinking about getting high. I also clearly remember a veteran member speaking up and basically accuse them of sharing just enough info to make it known that that they had an ulterior motive.

It’s clear that the judicial system is using AA/NA to “punish” offenders for free. Imo it’s perfectly obvious that this is a dangerous plan and that they don’t give a shit about the addicts making honest attempts to change. They don’t even need to know that the structure of these programs allow for deviant extroverts to become “leaders” (in the form of sponsors or gurus). It only takes a glance from any non-experienced normie to see that incorporating drugs within the rooms of addicts is a toxic mixture.

All the more reason that the meetings need to be regulated. It’s also an indication that the judicial system doesn’t care that the addict’s lives (most directly affected) isn’t given consideration, only a way to save tax dollars and please society. Conspiracy it seems, by sending non committed offenders of any sort to pollute recovery rooms, making an already failing program deteriorate further.

Pro Empowerment!
Truth about AA: http://orange-papers.org/menu1.html
Expose AA: http://www.expaa.org/

dorak nob's picture

dorak nob

Sun, 04/22/2012 - 10:12

yes AA was a great place to hook up and score dope, that's a big reason quit going . I have many friends who are not in program, good people. I am sticking with the winners..

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Sun, 04/22/2012 - 07:38

What sucks is that two of those guys were sentenced for weed. I realize it was probably a lot, but it's still pretty weak if you ask me.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

avogadno's picture

avogadno

Sun, 04/22/2012 - 08:05

Yep Penny, and unfortunately marijuana being legalized won't be happening anytime soon.

It's all about control imo, I don't agree with any argument I've ever come across as to keeping pot legally unattainable for everyone (except minors). It saddens me, the limitations of our “free” country.

Pro Empowerment!
Truth about AA: http://orange-papers.org/menu1.html
Expose AA: http://www.expaa.org/

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Sun, 04/22/2012 - 08:33

Thing is, those dudes had to be dealing to get those kind of sentences. It would be like sending a prostitute to a sex addicts meeting. Great way to meet clients, I guess.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

Persephone In Exile's picture

Persephone In Exile

Sun, 04/22/2012 - 08:42

This man who used to live down the street from me sent his son to rehab after his wife found that he had weed. I couldn't believe it, rehab for being caught once with weed? He was 16 years old. The funny thing was, the dad kept the weed and invited me over to smoke it....I declined. What a weirdo.

http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Sun, 04/22/2012 - 09:53

In Sherburne County 2000 census the"population density was 148 people per square mile (57/km²). There were 22,827 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km²)" With this kind of population density this is an extremely sparsely inhabited area. It is very hard to find meetings and they are few and far between. The Sherburne County Court is loading up the AA and NA meetings with felons and they will have an extremely high level of high risk people attending these meetings because of this.

It would appear that this Minnesota County is using AA/NA for community control and is populating these meetings with felons and the REQUIRING of the SIGNATURE and PHONE NUMBER on the court cards is against the "suggested" AA policies regarding cooperation with the courts. It is also giving the court and probation department a detailed list of the members and contact information of these groups.

Proof of Attendance at Meetings
Some judges require written proof that offenders have attended a certain number of meetings. Often, when the court-ordered newcomer attends an A.A. meeting, the group secretary (or other group officer) is willing to sign their first name, or to initial a slip furnished by the court saying so-and-so was at the meeting on a particular date. Hopefully, all involved recognize that neither the group nor its members are “bound” in any way by the signature, nor does this courtesy signify affiliation of the A.A. group with any other program or guarantee that the attendee was present for the entire meeting; it simply illustrates cooperation. Court professionals should understand too, that attendance at A.A. meetings doesn’t guarantee sobriety.

Placing great emphasis on A.A.’s principle of Anonymity, we understand that some A.A. members are uncomfortable when asked to sign their full name or to supply other personal information indicating that they are A.A. members. This cherished Tradition of Anonymity provides protection to all A.A.s from being publically identified as alcoholics, a safeguard especially important to the newcomer. Since each group is autonomous, and providing proof of attendance at meetings is not a specific part of A.A.’s program, each group and group member has the right to choose whether or not to sign court slips.

Source: http://www.aa.org/lang/en/en_pdfs/smf-177_en.pdf

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Clara's picture

Clara

Sun, 04/22/2012 - 12:21

I signed them with reservation and I would not put a phone number down. Don't recall that it was ever required, but I would have just put the club number down...

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Sun, 04/22/2012 - 12:36

I agree with putting the club number down. That said, as we have discussed, I think you should sign all court slips without reservation and no matter how late the coercee arrives. Another idea might be to use the group funds to invest in a stamp with the group's name. I know some groups do this.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."