Felony Justice
Lawyer says neighborhood service is not ‘viable,’ chooses jail for spitting misdemeanor
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A Wisconsin lawyer selected jail over neighborhood service Tuesday for spitting on a Black teenager throughout a 2020 protest.
Shorewood, Wisconsin, lawyer Stephanie Rapkin, 67, rejected a sentence of a 12 months of probation and 100 hours of neighborhood service, report the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Fox 6 and WISN. Consequently, she was as a substitute sentenced to 60 days in jail.
Rapkin was convicted of misdemeanor disorderly conduct in April, regardless of her testimony that she spit towards however not on then-17-year-old protester Eric Lucas III. The incident occurred in 2020 and was caught on video.
Milwaukee County Choose Laura Crivello instructed Rapkin on Tuesday that probation officers may assist discover the suitable neighborhood service, however Rapkin mentioned it wouldn’t be “viable.” WISN reported on Rapkin’s response.
“Your honor, no person needs me,” Rapkin mentioned. “I can’t go away my home due to the demise threats. No person needs me to volunteer. I’ve tried for the previous 12 months only for my very own psychological well being.”
She mentioned she “would fairly go to jail proper now and to care for it.”
Rapkin left the courtroom in handcuffs.
Rapkin’s lawyer, Anthony Cotton, mentioned after the listening to Rapkin has been labeled a racist and shunned by neighbors for the reason that incident.
Rapkin nonetheless faces a battery cost for allegedly kneeing a police officer within the groin throughout an altercation exterior her house.
