The Arkansas Supreme Court turned down a law forbidding teachers from having sexual contacts with their over 18 years old students, citing constitutional rights as an adult.
The ruling was related to a case against David Paschal, a 38 year old Arkansas teacher sentenced to 30 years in prison for having a five month relationship with his 18 year old student.
What’s baffling about the David Paschal case is how sex can lead to a 30 year sentence. Granted it is wrong for the teacher to have sexual relationships with his students in the first place -- from power and maturity perspectives that he has the upper hand and the student is powerless against his demands, and she, the student, may not be mature enough or have the life experience to know what’s really happening. But, 30 years for sex with a student? That seems like a very tough and excessive punishment.
There are some crimes far more heinous and deserving of an almost life sentence, such as anything involving the harming of another individual. Some of these hate or danger to others crime seemed to receive far fewer years than a guy having sexual relationships with a student.
So, when can you say something seems strange about our judicial system and some rulings seemed to require prior approval or guidance before the official ruling?
