While public criticism has focused on a Santa Clara County judge for handing out what many consider a lenient sentence to a former Stanford swimmer convicted of felony sexual assault, the recommendation he followed has escaped similar scrutiny.
That recommendation came from a county probation officer days before Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky sentenced Brock Turner to six months in county jail and three years probation.
Judges weigh probation officers’ suggestions in their sentencing decisions because they typically are more familiar with the range of offenders for specific crimes.
Turner is expected to be released in three months, on Sept. 2, with good behavior. He will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.Prosecutors had asked for a six-year state prison sentence.