Here's why we can't have nice things.

The problem with mandatory sentences is the lack of actual judgment by the judge. Mitigating circumstances matter.

Its the ttraditional law and order crowd who want it, they also scream loudest about judges being lenient with mitigating circumstances.

After having the situation explained to them by the defendant's mother, who initiated and then aborted the call, why should the LEOs have any reason to ask to search his vehicle? That's the judgment question. No crime had been committed.

No, no no no. No.
Clear enough, not only had a crime been committed...several in fact but given the circumstances the police would be required by law to search the car.

I think that we can agree that the article is perhaps not telling the complete story.

Yes , the parents obviously feel guilty as their initial report that they thought their armed son was going to do something silly led to his eventual imprisonment for breaking the law.

The judge is entirely at fault IMO and should be removed from the bench.

The judge followed the law, the criminal is entirely at fault.

He did not listen to reason.

The "reason" offered was pure bull