A Baton Rouge judge reportedly offered some people on probation a choice to get the coronavirus vaccine instead of completing court-mandated service hours.
Judge Fred Crifasi reportedly gave two people the choice to get the vaccine for reduced community service time, according to a court document.
“Judges do innovative things like this all the time. For example, you have probably seen or heard, in the past, the judge would allow your donation of blood instead of community service work or instead of payment of the fine,” said District Attorney Hillar Moore. “If a judge is going to make this offer, I think it’s a reasonable one.”
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Anyone who is uncomfortable with getting the vaccine can opt out, Moore added.
“These judges in these circumstances are being totally reasonable, but I do understand that someone may think that way. And if that’s the case, don’t get vaccinated,” Moore said.
While Crifasi is “incredibly fair,” his offer might be out of line, said Defense Attorney Jarrett Ambeau.
“I don’t think the government is necessarily the right entity to be involved in me injecting something into my body,” Ambeau said. “Judge Crifasi himself, individually, is incredibly fair. The point is when a government actor steps in to ask you to do something like, ‘Will I suffer for not doing it?’ And that is the question.”
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Louisiana prisons have also offered incentives for vaccination. The Department of Corrections reportedly offered inmates a $5 “canteen credit” for getting the vaccine.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Crifasi’s office for comment.
