When it comes to scale, revoking probation might pale in comparison to the punishments someone like Marion Barry has faced. But the former D.C. mayor could face jail time (once again) after a ruling yesterday by Chief Judge Thomas Hogan of D.C.’s federal court. Hogan's opinion overturned Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson's March decision barring federal prosecutors from revoking his parole when they weren't charging him with another crime.
Barry, currently a D.C. Councilman, pleaded guilty in October 2005 to two misdemeanor charges for failing to pay his taxes five years in a row. But when he failed to file his 2005 taxes by the deadline, prosecutors asked Robinson to yank his parole and send Barry to jail.
Robinson argued that Barry's parole could only be revoked if the Probation Office asked. But Hogan wrote that such logic was "misplaced." The case will go back to Robinson for reconsideration.
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