Quinton Jackson Enters Guilty Plea, Granted Plea Bargain

by scotty23 on Jan 8, 2009 4:46 PM EST Comment 43 comments

Promoted to the front page from the FanPosts by Luke Thomas.

MMA Weekly reports from the Orange County Courthouse:

In an Orange County court on Thursday, Jackson accepted a plea bargain in a case stemming from his arrest on July 15, 2008, in exchange for a reversal of his plea from not guilty to guilty. The arrest came following Jackson allegedly leading police on a chase that involved hitting other vehicles, running red traffic lights, driving into oncoming traffic, and ended in Newport Beach.

He was originally charged with one felony count of evading while driving recklessly, one felony count of evading a peace officer and driving against traffic, three misdemeanor counts of hit and run with property damage, and one misdemeanor count of reckless driving. At his preliminary hearing on Thursday, he reversed his plea to guilty on one misdemeanor count of reckless driving and one felony count of evading a peace officer and driving against traffic.

With the acceptance of the plea bargain, Jackson's sentencing will be deferred to Jan. 7, 2010. If he meets the requirements of the plea bargain, the felony count will be dismissed and he will only be sentenced for the misdemeanor. If he fails to meet the requirements of his plea bargain, he will be charged and sentenced on both counts.

The terms of Jackson's plea bargain include: 200 hours of community service aimed at young people, regular doctor's appointments and bimonthly progress reports for the district attorney's office.

Jackson will also pay full restitution on both the misdemeanor and felony counts, even if the felony count ends up being dismissed under the plea bargain.

An attorney for Jackson also added:

"Quinton, from the beginning, has wanted to take responsibility for his actions. He has learned a great deal about his physical body and about mental health. During this next year, Quinton has chosen to share his knowledge of how good nutrition, exercise, and sufficient sleep leads to success. He will be speaking to groups of young people in the hope that his unfortunate incident can be turned into something positive for others."

In essence, it appears that the plea bargain was granted mainly because Jackson's legal team convinced the judge and the DA that Rampage was not under the influence of any substance, and that his actions were caused only by his mental condition at the time.

As long as he fulfills the terms of the plea bargain, Jackson should not see any jail time and will not likely be hindered from competing in the UFC as soon as he's ready for his next fight.

UPDATE [from Luke Thomas]: This would explain White's desire to book an Evans vs. Jackson fight despite what was - at the time - an uncertain future for Jackson. If he serves no jail time nor suffers through a lengthy, potentially ugly public trial, the UFC wins big here. Is it me or do matters break for the UFC in a very favorable way over and over again?

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

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This is great news..

I knew he wouldn’t do a day in jail. With this behind him now, he should get first crack at Evans.

by steveoc24 on Jan 8, 2009 4:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

“Cha-ching”

Sincerely,

Dana

by lbk on Jan 8, 2009 4:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good news.

I believe he is a very sincere person, and will do everything he can to help others.

by mythbuster on Jan 8, 2009 4:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Glad to see this thing finally over.

I hope everyone who freaked out when Rampage originally plead not guilty can learn how the legal system works and not freak out the next time something like this happens. (odds say there’s going to be another legal problem for a UFC fighter eventually).

by Phildo on Jan 8, 2009 5:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

For the most part, I believe a lot of the UFC’s luck is much the result of their own doing. In this case, I think they caught a break. I suppose that Rampage and his explanation were compelling. This was his first offense of this nature, and the courts showed mercy. One wonders what would have happened in another jurisdiction in another part of the country, but it doesn’t really matter. Hopefully, Rampage can get everything straight after all this turmoil.

But yeah, this was a huge break for the UFC.

by Cannon Jacques on Jan 8, 2009 5:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not only did this break in a favorable way for the UFC – it also breaks in a favorable way for MMA fans in general.

Page is not only a bad ass – he’s also a good guy and a family man.

I don’t think what he did is excusable but he will be able to reach impressionable youth as his service to the community. Perfect ending to a shitty situation.

by donkeypunch on Jan 8, 2009 5:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

To Luke Thomas: No, it is not just you. I too have noticed this over and over. Especially when it comes to Dana’s comments about other promotions. I would think that they had a cyrstal ball but they are just very smart.

by nk on Jan 8, 2009 5:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Even if they have both, it’s still long odds on all the breaks they’ve gotten. Some crazy luck on their end too.
Thankfully, some luck for Quinton as well.

by Rundownloser on Jan 9, 2009 1:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure why you think the UFC caught a lucky break here. Under Rampage’s circumstances, it’s a pretty standard plea deal giving him community service, fee’s and classes and no jail time.

by steveoc24 on Jan 8, 2009 5:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Standard? For leading cops on a high speed chase

AGAINST traffic? Thats hardly standard

Gimme 1 Round!

by skwirrl on Jan 8, 2009 5:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

For a celebrity under these circumstances in LA this is pretty standard.

by who me on Jan 8, 2009 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Paris Hilton went to the pen

for violating probation. This is 10X what that is

Gimme 1 Round!

by skwirrl on Jan 8, 2009 5:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I mean I really don't care about anybody but myself...

and it wasn’t my baby he killed… So I’m happy for the guy. But damn he lucked out.

Gimme 1 Round!

by skwirrl on Jan 8, 2009 5:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

For Goodness sake the pregnant woman miscarrying has already been shown to not be his fault, the medical records and even the woman’s own doctor said the wreck had nothing to do with it.

by who me on Jan 8, 2009 5:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes for her third offense in under two years.

In September 2006, Hilton was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content of 0.08%, the level at which it is illegal to drive in California. Hilton’s driving license was subsequently suspended in November 2006,69 and in January 2007 she pleaded no contest to the alcohol-related reckless driving charge.70 Her punishment was 36 months’ probation and fines of about $1,500.71 On January 15, 2007, Hilton was pulled over for driving with a suspended license and signed a document acknowledging that she was not permitted to drive.72 On February 27, 2007 Hilton was caught driving 70 mph in a 35 mph zone, again with a suspended license. She also did not have her headlights on even though it was after dark. Prosecutors in the office of the Los Angeles City Attorney charged that those actions, along with the failure to enroll in a court-ordered alcohol education program, constituted a violation of the terms of her probation.

by who me on Jan 8, 2009 5:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

At least she stopped for the cops

They are about equal

Unless reckless endangerment is now just a chill little crime

Gimme 1 Round!

by skwirrl on Jan 8, 2009 5:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Was Rampage charged with reckless endangerment? Reckless driving is a misdemenor(and one that Hilton also plead guilty to).

And no the third offense for most things is much worse than the first offense for what Rampage did. The fact is that Hilton did jail time because she broke the law three times in a row.

by who me on Jan 8, 2009 5:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And rampage broke like

6 laws at the same time

Gimme 1 Round!

by skwirrl on Jan 8, 2009 6:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

just a little more for you guys to consider. Multiple tickets and more severe violations are often issued with the intent for them to be plea bargained down. You can’t just look at the initial charges and go off of that alone.

Eliot Marshall: Bader won. Like I said in the episode, I'm not going to make any excuses. It's my job to be able to deal with when somebody's doing that. It's not his job to change up his tactics.

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Jan 8, 2009 6:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It was one incident, it’s not uncommon for them to file multiple charges for one incident. Hilton went to trial and got a judgement and a (light)sentence and the promptly went out and ignored all that to do the same things again and again.

If Rampage does something like this a second time they will throw the book at him.

by who me on Jan 8, 2009 6:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Hilton

by who me on Jan 8, 2009 5:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not really, because violating probation is by definition not a first offense. Most people get a walk on their first offense.

by Phildo on Jan 8, 2009 6:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Paris Hilton was already on probation and not suppose to be driving. BIG DIFFERENCE!!!!

by steveoc24 on Jan 8, 2009 6:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, it's standard...

With the condition Rampage was in he got a standard sentence. If he was on drugs or alcohol or previously on probation, it would have been a different story.

by steveoc24 on Jan 8, 2009 6:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I can’t speak for anyone else, but the fact that both sides reached a plea deal and avoided a drawn out, public legal struggle is an enormous break for the UFC.

by Cannon Jacques on Jan 8, 2009 5:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No real media scrutiny + plus Rampage can fight + Rampage can fight for a title + UFC avoids any sort of public black eye = MONSTER win.

by Luke Thomas on Jan 8, 2009 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

To me the biggest win was the press not picking up on this at all when it happened.

I always expected a plea bargain, and when they let him go fight before doing this it suggested even further they weren’t looking for trial.

by Michael Rome on Jan 8, 2009 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I thought when the story broke that the national media would run with it. It just seemed tailor made for over analysis by the talking heads.

by Cannon Jacques on Jan 8, 2009 5:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Same. The UFC and Rampage are making out like bandits PR-wise.

by Luke Thomas on Jan 8, 2009 5:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t excuse what Rampage did but I believe his story and I think he’s really sorry.

I believe he’ll do his best to fulfill his part of the plea and actually try to help people in the process.

by Dexerion on Jan 8, 2009 5:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Those Rampage Jackson youth speeches should be hilarious. “Hey Kids don’t forget to eat food and occasionally sleep so you don’t go crazy and think you are talking to God”.

On a serious note 200 hours of community service is great for UFC PR and regular doctors appointments are exactly what he needs.

by who me on Jan 8, 2009 5:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He got a good deal and should have pleaded. He must have impressed someone because they could have gone after him if they wanted, lack of sleep isn’t viable defense.

by bignerd on Jan 8, 2009 5:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He did get committed for psychiatric evaluation so he probably had a lot more documented evidence to his defense than lack of sleep.

by who me on Jan 8, 2009 5:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think they documented depression. I don’t think that excuses you from the crime but would make sentencing less severe. I am no lawyer but that is the impression I received on how it works.

He got a good deal, doesn’t appear to be a knuckle head and should get passed this.

by bignerd on Jan 8, 2009 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

None of it is really an excuse but those things do become mitigating factors. The same exact infractions with the driver high on crack would lead to entirely different judgements. Of course the influence of the circumstances here didn’t go to the judges decision they went to the DA’s.

by who me on Jan 8, 2009 6:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not a big deal...

Of course I’m not talking about what he did or the consequences that could have arisen from it.

What I am talking about is that he got what just about any of would have gotten under the same circumstances.

There are a couple of factors at play here:

1) He didn’t seriously injure anyone. The miscarriage was determined to be not a result of the accident, which was minor.
2) There weren’t ILLEGAL drugs or alcohol involved.

If either of these had gone the other way, we would likely be on here talking about a lengthy trial and likely jail/prison sentence. Also, he doesn’t have a track record of this kind of behavior as an adult.

If I go out and do the same thing in my community, it is very likely that I would receive the same type of treatment, of course the DA or locale could influence it to a degree.

Now, if he were to pull this type of thing again, I doubt he would get off so easily. I am glad that it didn’t turn out worse than it did and that he can get a chance the keep things on the straight and narrow. It would have been just as easy for a DA or judge to try and make a name for themselves by making an example of a pro athlete.

Eliot Marshall: Bader won. Like I said in the episode, I'm not going to make any excuses. It's my job to be able to deal with when somebody's doing that. It's not his job to change up his tactics.

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Jan 8, 2009 5:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, “any of us”

Eliot Marshall: Bader won. Like I said in the episode, I'm not going to make any excuses. It's my job to be able to deal with when somebody's doing that. It's not his job to change up his tactics.

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Jan 8, 2009 5:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I challenge your manhood to lead the police on a chase against oncoming traffic and on the sidewalk

and see if you get community service

Gimme 1 Round!

by skwirrl on Jan 8, 2009 6:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, since I do not have mental health issues to fall back on (diagnosed anyways, lol), do not want to pay high priced attorneys and have prior offenses that would probably be considered against me, I think I will go ahead and pass.

However, if you think that this isn’t pretty much what most offenses of this type for first time violators would result in, you would probably be wrong. Of course, I would also say that most idiots that lead police on chases, probably are high/drunk or are serious criminals already.

I’m not saying it is right, just that it is common for these things to get pleaded down, especially when you consider the circumstances. Actually, I would say that one of our societal problems is the “slap on the wrist” policy for first timers/juveniles/etc… I’m not saying they should get the death penalty, but I would say if our courts were tougher in those situations, we would probably see fewer repeat offenders.

Eliot Marshall: Bader won. Like I said in the episode, I'm not going to make any excuses. It's my job to be able to deal with when somebody's doing that. It's not his job to change up his tactics.

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Jan 8, 2009 6:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I knew a guy in High School(he was 18 at the time) that got into a high speed chase involving multiple officers through a high traffic area which ended in a wreck where he totalled his car in a parking lot and he didn’t even get his license suspended. They plead down to speeding and he paid a hefty fine and went on with his life. Hell he didn’t have any excuse at all he just liked to drive really fast and he pretty much walked free because it was a first offense.

by who me on Jan 8, 2009 6:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What’s better for the community: Putting a non-hardened criminal in jail and pay for his stay there with taxpayer money or have him perform 200 community service hours using his celebrity status?

by cyph on Jan 8, 2009 9:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

lucky dude

man that is one lucky cat. what black man you know can do this and get away with this. anyway he will get his title back and take it to some boy’s and girls club and it will be all good.

by valtheguy on Jan 8, 2009 11:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs