The Document was 212 pages, I'm sifting through it, and giving it to you in plain English and in shorter words, though with detail. Enjoy.
Here is a paraphrased version of the memo Gilbert’s lawyer wrote, cliff notes style.
Defendant’s Request
Gilbert should be sentenced to probation and community service:
I. Intro
The defense lawyer wants the Judge to take a step back from the hype around the casse and portray Gilbert’s true character, and his character indicates that he is a generous, loyal, and upstanding man.
II. Mr. Arenas’ Character
The lawyer begins to delve into the man that he is. He has spoken with the Court before, one employee notes that Arenas is a quiet and polite man who doesn’t have the swagger that may be expected out of other famous people like him.
IIA. Arenas’ background
Most of this we know already. He was first raised by mom, then essentially abandoned to his dad since she was a crack addict. Several characteristics are noted
HUMOR – Not unexpected either, the lawyer says that Gil’s humor helps him get through the negative parts of his life and much of it was shaped from his childhood, including the fact that mom abandoned him.
DETERMINATION TO EXCEED EXPECTATIONS – Since he was a kid, Gil always wanted to succeed in life. We learn that Gilbert lived in LA during high school, and wasn’t starting for his JV team, so he (with dad’s approval) moved to Grant HS in another district where he excelled. He wasn’t recruited at all by UCLA and Southern Cal which was where he wanted to go, but he got to the University of Arizona instead. Knowing that U of A is a better school in basketball at the time, some folks thought Gilbert would play zero minutes, and that’s why he wears number zero. We do know that he was the Preseason NIT MVP in 1999-2000, and helped get the Cats to the Title game in 2001. You know most of the rest of this story so I’m not gonna elaborate
IIB. Mr. Arenas as a Friend and Father
He is universally called a hands on dad, a “family man” despite the childhood he had. Gilbert will often talk about the kids, not himself. Gilbert can also be seen doing everyday tasks, unlike other star athletes, he was seen at Costco more often than at a club. Basically, he’s an everyday average joe who just happens to be an NBA All Star.
IIC. Mr. Arenas’ concern for others
Gil gives a lot of money and tickets to charity. He views charity as things he WANTS to do, not HAS to do, to paraphrase a letter from the many exhibits. There are numerous people and organizations who are grateful to him for the support he has given them from his donations and time. Even strangers to Arenas think he’s a generous guy; he’ll spend five-ten minutes to them and autograph everything they want.
IID. Mr. Arenas asa Role Model
Gil uses his life story as an example to all kids as to how they can succeed. The crime has hurt that status, and Gil is very down that he let the kids down.
III. The Crime
Again, most of this we know, but some info is notable, and that will be mentioned.
Okay, Gilbert did it, but there was no malevolent intentions here. All the guns were legal. The event on 12/21/09 happened, but it was a misguided joke. Gilbert also took responsibility for his actions because after all, he could have refused to give the guns and cooperate with the authorities, both from the Wizards and the police. Gilbert told his attorney to notify the US Attorney regarding the offense and met with prosecutors ASAP, and agreed to plead guilty. He also respected the decision that was handed down by the NBA, and told his attorney NOT to fight the suspension through the union, even though this cost him over $7,000,000.00 in salary. In addition, he called the owners, Irene Pollin and Ted Leonsis to apologize.
We learn why Gilbert was on twitter. He read a NY Post article that said that he and Javaris had cocked and loaded guns in the locker room, which was false, and prompted him to react, which he admits wasn’t the right thing to do now.
IV. The Sentencing Guidelines Support a Sentence of Probation
This is a very technical section. In short, Gilbert Arenas’ record includes a gun offense from OUT OF STATE, and there is no DC equivalent to that law. This is his only prior offense, and the guidelines suggest that a sentence of 6-24 months of probation are appropriate.
V. The Statutory Facts Support a Sentence of Probation With Community Service
V-A: Seriousness of the offense
The offense is serious. Most people who are convicted of the same thing Gilbert did usually are stopped by the cops, the guns are also usually loaded. With Gil, he voluntarily said that he did it, he voluntarily handed the guns over, and there was no ammo. Also about 45% of people convicted in similar offenses and with similar criminal histories to Gilbert did NOT receive any jail time. Given these circumstances, Gil should only get probation.
V-B: Criminal History
Redundant. I’m not repeating most of it but with the CA offense, the gun was found in an unlocked container in his car. If it was in a locked container or if he was actually going to the range, plus if he didn’t get stopped, then he’d not be convicted of anything at all. Next, the gun was not loaded.
V-C: Just Punishment
Other people convicted of this offense haven’t been put in the slammer. Javaris plead guilty to a misdemeanor (could have been a felon too) and he only got one year of unsupervised probation (essentially, nothing). The DC Police have arrested two other NBA players, Rodney White and Lonny Baxter for a similar offense, even with guns which WERE FIRED, and they just got misdemeanors.
Arenas has already been punished in many other ways, such as a 50 game suspension which cost him over $7,000,000.00; Adidas dumped him which is worth over $10,000,000.00 and perhaps more than $40,000,000 including bonuses. Spalding cost him another $200,000.00. In addition to that, the Wizards and the NBA won’t show his highlights, mention his name, show his face anywhere, and sell his jerseys. That all has hurt and humiliated him and has punished him and including the other stuff, he should just get probation.
V-D: Deterrence
The punishments Gilbert already got are the deterrence to prevent him and other people from bringing in unregistered guns to DC.
V-E: Community Service
Even though he is a convict and his image tarnished, he should do some court mandated community service which can be valuable since Gilbert has been a big figure in the community already. Numerous people who provided character references mention why and how he can do this service and help others and prevent others from doing the same thing. He already sent letters to his own Gilbert Scores For Schools program too, and this was Gilbert’s idea, no one else’s.
VI. Conclusion
Gilbert has learned his lesson, he is grateful that everyone in the legal system has been respectful to him so far, and all factors considered, he should only get probation and community service.
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