Dean Johnson Comments on Bonds Sentence for Christian Science Monitor
Dean Kevin R. Johnson commented for the Christian Science Monitor on the sentence given to retired baseball superstar Barry Bonds as a result of his recent obstruction of justice conviction. Bonds was found guilty of obstructing justice by giving evasive answers before a federal grand jury that was investigating the use of performance-enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball eight years ago and sentenced to 30 days of home confinement, two years of probation, 250 hours of community service, and a $4,000 fine. Though some have viewed the sentence as overly lenient, Dean Johnson said that it was probably appropriate for the single charge of obstructing justice.
"The sentence seems reasonable under the circumstances to me," he said, noting that the sentence was what the probation office recommended despite federal sentencing guidelines that recommend 15 to 21 months in prison.
Kevin R. Johnson is Dean and Mabie-Apallas Professor of Public Interest Law and Chicana/o studies at UC Davis School of Law. He is an internationally recognized scholar in the fields of immigration law and policy, refugee law, and civil rights.