A Schuylkill County man was sent to jail Tuesday morning after a judge told him he’d run out of second chances.
Jamie Earley, 39, of Mahanoy City, was sentenced to 30-60 days in Schuylkill County Prison for repeated violations of driving on a suspended license. Last week, he was confined to house arrest in an order handed down by Schuylkill County Judge Andrew Serina.
However, in this last week, Serina learned that Earley was cited two more times for the same violation in Mahanoy City. That didn’t sit well with Serina, who modified the sentence and sent him to jail.
“I would not be doing my job if I gave you house arrest,” he said. “Following the law is not optional.”
Earley has been cited at least six times for driving on a suspended license.
The defendant attempted to explain to Serina why he’d been cited, saying he was trying to attend his son’s graduation ceremony when he got popped for the violation.
“As a father, I took a chance. I wasn’t going to miss graduation,” Earley said.
Serina heard that reasoning but told Earley, “At some point, you have to understand the second chances are all used up. Part of me feels disappointed in myself. I took you at you learned your lesson but you didn’t learn your lesson.”
The judge said he had no issue with Earley applying for work release from the prison and he’s eligible to apply for parole in a month.
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