A 27-year-old Lawrence woman received two years of probation Thursday for a Sept. 28 burglary in the 500 block of Florida Street, along with related drug charges.
Ashley Dawn Houk, as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, pleaded guilty in November to burglary, theft, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. She admitted entering a home and stealing a computer. When she was arrested later that day, she was in possession of marijuana and a drug-weighing scale.
Because of Houk's criminal history, she could have been sentenced to 35 months in prison for the burglary and drug charges. She had been convicted of burglary once before.
In Thursday's sentencing hearing, Douglas County District Court Judge Barbara Huff ordered that Houk serve receive 24 months of probation in place of a prison sentence.
Huff said she took into account evidence that Houk, who is a single mother, had entered a drug and alcohol treatment program. The terms of the probation will require that treatment to continue.
Comments
NotImpressed 4 months, 2 weeks ago
I hope she takes this opportunity to turn her life around.
somebodynew 4 months, 2 weeks ago
She hasn't taken any of the other opportunities, so I doubt it.
elliottaw 4 months, 2 weeks ago
This DA Is all over the places with sentences
Ian_Cummings 4 months, 2 weeks ago
It's not the district attorney who decides the sentences. The judge does that - and only within the narrow boundaries provided by state sentencing guidelines. In this case, the judge could have applied a sentence of 35 months in prison, or the probation sentence.
cheeseburger 4 months, 2 weeks ago
True, but the DA is involved with plea bargaining that essentially cancels or minimizes all charges to the point that the judge's operational grid involves minimum sentences.
That said, it is disappointing that Huff chose probation over incarceration. It is apparent this woman doesn't get it, and the judge should have done something to get her attention.
BlueWaffle 4 months, 2 weeks ago
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/jan... I thought I knew that name... I would think something like this would be someone's rock bottom.
guppypunkhead 4 months, 2 weeks ago
You would think so!
Ljames 4 months, 2 weeks ago
she comes from a good family and just got on the wrong path but is trying to turn it around now keep up the good work ashley.
somebodynew 4 months, 2 weeks ago
Haven't ever heard that before.
BlueWaffle 4 months, 2 weeks ago
Ljames 3 months, 2 weeks ago
This country is good at protect the THUG and to hell with the victim.
Upvote0 Suggest removal http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/sep/21/kansas-supreme-court-orders-new-trial-lawrence-man/#c2144306 I imagine if she just got sentenced she is in that fearful honeymoon period. Wouldn't you see her as a thug and the system protecting her if she broke into your place and took what you worked hard to earn?
Commenting has been disabled for this item.