Gambling Excuse Not Flying In American Court System

Gambling is becoming more mainstream in today's society than it was twenty years ago. As is the case with everything new to a society, gambling is being blamed for any rise in crime.

In addition to the people of the cities blaming gambling, criminals have now begun to use gambling as an excuse for why they committed crimes, but the legal system is not buying it.

"They would be better served if they were candid and admitted it was a choice they made. I think everyone has experienced a moment of extreme excitement like when they watched their child score a goal, catch a fish, or they won a jackpot, but I don't see any soccer moms out there committing crimes saying their rise in endorphins made them do it," said Washoe County Assistant District Attorney John Helzer.

People are robbing banks and convenience stores and then claiming that gambling debts caused the crime spree. They also are defaulting on loans and using gambling as their excuse, but most people are not buying into this act.

Others, however, believe there is some merit to the claims. "Why would a 54 year old married woman with a family and good employees all of a sudden revert to what she did? It was a behavior prompted by something. Until she was caught and it came to light, she didn't realize the extent of what she was doing. She never consciously knew how long it had gone on and how much money she took," said Kenneth Lyon, a lawyer who represented Judy Sorensen.

Sorensen was sentenced a few weeks ago to to ten years in prison for embezzling money from the medical clinic where she worked. She claims to have had a gambling addiction, which Lyon claims led to the criminal behavior.

August 22, 2008
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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