McNabb in the News (10/7/06)

Senior Principal Douglas McNabb has been quoted in Arkansas’ The Morning News concerning former Wal-Mart vice chairman Tom Coughlin.

Coughlin has paid his fines and restitution, according to court documents filed Sept. 21 in Fort Smith. That and his behavior over the next 27 months could determine whether he has to serve all of his home detention, said Douglas McNabb, a … criminal attorney.

"If you pay all your financial obligations, then you can petition the court for early termination. Most courts won't do it if the probation office disapproves. But if you get along well with your probation officer ... you have a shot at getting off early," he said. "If (Coughlin) just really behaves himself, doesn't complain, obeys the rules, and the probation officer likes you ... he could petition the court (for early release)."
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McNabb said the biggest complaint his clients had about home detention was restricted movement.

"It's sort of a double-edged sword," he said. "On one hand, they're grateful it's home detention instead of a federal penitentiary. On the other hand, their flexibility is reduced. But I must say that, on balance, home detention is super for a defendant in that he is allowed to do all the things he couldn't do if he was (in prison). It's just that he has a curfew. Home detention really is a privilege."^[1]

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[1] Anita French, Coughlin Facing New Kind of Bored Room, The Morning News, Oct. 7, 2006.