Too famous for jail

Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily.


Being rich and famous is now a legally acceptable excuse for avoiding jail time in Australia, where convicted radio talkshow host John Laws was given a cushy suspended sentence on the basis that he was too wealthy to fine and too famous to imprison, according to the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD.

Recent Must Reads

9/2 – Robocop lives

9/1 – A CEO is worth 62 presidents

8/31 – Gee, your lawn smells terrific

8/30 – Catch a speeding Gore

Laws was convicted of soliciting information from a juror in a 1998 murder trial about how the jury had reached its decision — a crime that could bring up to seven years in prison in Australia.

However, the judge ruled that, Laws’ “high profile” status made him a target for “personal injury or worse” if sentenced to jail. Even home detention would be too much, as is it would “risk attracting the derision of the community.”

In a sidenote, Robert Downey, Jr. reportedly just purchased a house in Melbourne.

BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Donate