If you're considering a move to Bakersfield... (Fresno, Ross: crime rate, attorney)

[tangodoodles]

There are some things you should know. I just want to start by saying that I was born and raised in this town and though some people consider it to be the "armpit of the state" (see video:
YouTube - The Armpit Of The State - Bakersfield, California BAKO), it really is a good town for the right type of person. This person is usually conservative or at the very least apathetic, is religious, and wants to raise children in an affordable California city with decent schools (depending on the part of town). However, there is one aspect of this city that makes me cringe and want to cry...the criminal justice system. It would be hard to describe exactly what they do so I have decided to post a link to an article that appeared in Rolling Stone magazine a few years back. After you read this article, you may wonder if it's just a gross exaggeration or whether the person who wrote it had a deep-seated hatred for Ed Jagels, our District Attorney since 1983 and the focus of the article. I can assure you that this is not the case. Some of the things that happen in this town at his behest are chilling. And the worst part is, most of the people here don't care because if someone is accused of a crime, well then, they must be guilty and regardless of their reasons or lack of a previous criminal record we must throw the book at them...

You can read the article here: Mean Justice - Dirty Secrets

[Roaddog]

I can't argue for Ed Jagels, he's a real pile no doubt, he keeps his job because boone will run agianst him, the DA's office is as crooked as they get. I served on jury duty where a man was accused of touching some teen girls, they had been caught cutting class on the last day of school, they asked a counsler to lie for them and he wouldn't so they said he touched their leg at some time, there was no evidense what so ever that showed them truthfull but tons agianst them, the DA's office just kept trying to convict him over and over, the juries were hung, finally a jury came to a decision he was innocent and he was set free. I set on the jury panel and couldn't believe the DA would continue to hound this man, they had to know he was innocent.
I don't this is a uncommon event anywhere, it probably happens all the time not just in Kern county.

[Capt. Dan]

Originally Posted by Roaddog

I can't argue for Ed Jagels, he's a real pile no doubt, he keeps his job because boone will run agianst him, the DA's office is as crooked as they get. I served on jury duty where a man was accused of touching some teen girls, they had been caught cutting class on the last day of school, they asked a counsler to lie for them and he wouldn't so they said he touched their leg at some time, there was no evidense what so ever that showed them truthfull but tons agianst them, the DA's office just kept trying to convict him over and over, the juries were hung, finally a jury came to a decision he was innocent and he was set free. I set on the jury panel and couldn't believe the DA would continue to hound this man, they had to know he was innocent.
I don't this is a uncommon event anywhere, it probably happens all the time not just in Kern county.

Can you say DUKE LACROSSE?

[tangodoodles]

Originally Posted by Roaddog

I can't argue for Ed Jagels, he's a real pile no doubt, he keeps his job because boone will run agianst him, the DA's office is as crooked as they get. I served on jury duty where a man was accused of touching some teen girls, they had been caught cutting class on the last day of school, they asked a counsler to lie for them and he wouldn't so they said he touched their leg at some time, there was no evidense what so ever that showed them truthfull but tons agianst them, the DA's office just kept trying to convict him over and over, the juries were hung, finally a jury came to a decision he was innocent and he was set free. I set on the jury panel and couldn't believe the DA would continue to hound this man, they had to know he was innocent.
I don't this is a uncommon event anywhere, it probably happens all the time not just in Kern county.

Your experience isn't uncommon. My dad is a defense attorney and he's told seen some terrible things. Most people probably think that he exaggerates about what happens in court because he's on the defense side but anyone who has seen how the system works in this town knows that this is not the case. He hired an new associate who has been working at the DA's office for a year and the kid refuses to go back. He wants to work for my dad permanently because seeing that office from the outside completely disgusted him.

Remember that case with the old guy who was painting his own wall and hit the sheriff's deputy on the head and was then yanked down and broke some ribs and stuff? I heard that they offered him a year in jail for that! I mean, really, a year in jail for hitting a cop with a paintbrush? That case is, I think, over. I believe he only got community service but I'm glad the jury was able to see that such a frail old man couldn't do as much harm as the cop was claiming he did.

Like the article says, most people in Bakersfield have a personal story about something horrifying happening to someone they know because of Jagels. It's a pretty horrifying blemish on an otherwise underrated, friendly town. And what's worse is that until he retires, no one will be able to release his chokehold on Bakersfield. Even after he's gone he wants the female version of himself (Lisa Green) to be his successor. It will be just as bad with her in charge.

[bhcompy]

people only say bakersfield is the armpit of california because they havent been to fresno

[FresnoFacts]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

people only say bakersfield is the armpit of california because they havent been to fresno

Spoken like a Southern Californian who only drives through and never stops.

The problem with your statement is Fresno has a lower crime rate than most cities in California including Bakersfield.

Fresno has better air quality, lower carbon footprint, better freeway and transit system, more things to do, etc. vs. Bakersfield.

A lot of people say that no new retail chains open in Bakersfield until they open in Fresno first.

Now if you want the armpit of California I can think of a few Southern California cities that match that term.

[bhcompy]

hey, i stopped there.. it was a 120 freakin degrees, dusty, and the streets were deserted.

i imagine it would be decent if it wasnt such an armpit. bakersfield is more like a crusty bellybutton

[tangodoodles]

Originally Posted by Capt. Dan

Can you say DUKE LACROSSE?

It's like the Duke Lacrosse case except no one was held accountable...

[FresnoFacts]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

hey, i stopped there.. it was a 120 freakin degrees, dusty, and the streets were deserted.

i imagine it would be decent if it wasnt such an armpit. bakersfield is more like a crusty bellybutton

Interesting since it never hits 120 in Fresno. Sounds like you have it confused with somewhere else.

[bhcompy]

i was there during july 2002, not 120, but record high of 109 recorded on 8/12/02. from there i went to vegas which was around 112 and even hotter driving in between. 8 straight days of 100+ weather. terrible.