Pastor Vince & Bridget
In 1992, Judge Thomas P. Quirk inducted alternative sentencing to Lake Charles City Court where, if circumstances were right, weekly church service attendance was offered to defendants rather than jail and/or fines. Let’s just say not everyone embraced Quirk’s creativity. He has had both loyal supporters and staunch critics. Led by the A.C.L.U., Quirk’s sentencing practices were challenged in court, but Quirk stuck to his convictions. Eventually, the argument made it’s way to the Louisiana Supreme Court, where Quirk won. Since that time, alternative sentencing practices has become commonplace not only here in Lake Charles, but across the entire state of Louisiana.
Due to Louisiana’s mandatory retirement age of 70 for judges, Lake Charles voters will elect a new Lake Charles Ward 3 city judge. Judge Quirk, who will turn 70 in November, will be forced to step down because of this law.
If you approve of Judge Quirk’s alternative sentencing, then you should vote for a candidate who will continue offering those same options. If you’re unsure or skeptical, then consider these personal testaments from lake area defendants:
SHARLA
Sharla was young and in love with her boyfriend. Six years and two children later, they decided to tie the knot. She knew he drank too much, but Sharla was hoping marriage and family would settle him down. It didn’t. A thousand times, Sharla threatened to leave and a thousand times he promised to stop drinking. The drinking continued seven days a week, and she felt he didn’t value his family.
A couple of years later he was an alcoholic spinning out of control. One night after several hours at a bar her husband drove drunk, crashing his car into a cement barricade — but not before taking out several bushes and flattening a road sign. Next thing he knows, he’s standing before Judge Quirk, guilty of his second DWI.
Quirk sentenced him to classes, fines, court costs, probation, loss of driving privileges and a choice between community service or a year of attending church services. He chose church.
Sharla drove her husband to the required classes. She drove him to his probation officer. Fines, court costs and fees were paid. She drove him to church each Sunday and sat beside him. She began to see a change within her husband. Sitting in church wasn’t changing him, but the Word of God was! It was giving him strength to overcome his demons. He started believing God loved him, and because of this, he started making better choices and started believing in himself.
On July 5, Sharla says her husband celebrated his two years of sobriety. He now has an excellent job he would have never gotten had he kept drinking. They decided to expand their family, and their third child is now 16 months old. Due to the changes within his life, he is now allowed to visit his son from a former marriage.
Sharla says he is now the husband she has always wanted and prayed for. For her part, Sharla shares her story and support with other wives of alcoholics. Sharla says, “Judge Quirk gave my husband the choice to change his life when no one else believed he could change.” She adds, “Having guidance and positive fellowship definitely helped, and having someone believe in him the way Judge Quirk did made a huge difference in all our lives!”
KIM
Kim is a single mother of two sons. Several years ago, she saw one of her sons arrested for DWI when he was 21. When he appeared in court, the presiding judge and DA prosecutor discussed his situation like he wasn’t even there. It was business as usual and he was ordered fines and jail time. Kim had to pay her son’s fine because he didn’t have the money. She watched her angry son become angrier.
It didn’t take long before he received his second DWI. This time, however, the repeat offender found himself standing before Judge Quirk. Quirk took the time to ask him questions and discuss his problems. It wasn’t long before Kim’s son realized this judge was taking the time to help — not simply punish. The angry young man was given the choice to attend church services and attend meetings rather than go to jail. He chose church.
Kim is thrilled to report that while her son served out his sentence, she witnessed his attitude shift from that of an angry man to that of a caring, responsible adult. It’s been three years since he stood before Quirk, and he says he has no plans to ever stand before a judge again. He is no longer controlled by his anger, reasons better, is more productive and walks away from trouble. Kim says Judge Quirk restored her son’s confidence in the judicial system.
PAT
Pat was a single dad raising two sons and a daughter. His life became more complicated when he was slapped with a DWI. Instead of sending him to jail and leaving his children without their father, Judge Quirk offered him the choice of attending church services. He took it.
Pat began attending a church each week and quickly became very close friends to the pastor. His life changed for the better and he experienced a spiritual life he had never known before. He not only became involved in the church but answered a much-needed call. Pat and his daughter started their own business, Louisiana Designated Driver Service, that was directly inspired by his own DWI. During holidays, Pat’s business runs a two-man chase team, where if someone has been drinking, they will pick them up and drive them and their vehicle safely home. Without hesitation, Pat genuinely and appreciatively says, “Thank you, Judge Quirk. You changed my life!”
JACKIE
Jackie is the only living survivor in his family. All male members of his family died due to alcohol.
Jackie has an extensive record — he’s used drugs, alcohol and lived a life of crime and he’s done hard, serious prison time. The day came when he found himself standing in front of Judge Quirk for his third offense DWI. After a discussion, Quirk offered Jackie church and a year of probation or a year in jail. He chose church, but it wasn’t long before he relapsed.
His wife left when she witnessed him drinking again telling him she was not going to watch him kill himself like the rest of his family. She packed her bags and went to El Paso to be with their daughter.
One afternoon, Jackie checked in with his probation officer and she smelt the alcohol on him. It was a violation of his probation and he served time in jail. While there, Jackie had an abundant amount of time for God, who gave him a choice: either live the rest of his life locked up or live to serve Him. It was a real Come-to-Jesus encounter, and it marked a change. Jackie decided he wanted to live right for God.
When Jackie was released, he raced home, packed his bags and flew to El Paso to be with his wife. He found a church and began attending regularly with his wife. Jackie, now taking things seriously, started becoming a different man. His marriage improved and he put away the alcohol and it was no longer allowed in his home. After some time, they returned to Lake Charles.
Jackie wants to live right and wants to live for God. He gives credit to Judge Quirk for sentencing him to attend weekly church services because it planted a seed, and now he’s reaping the harvest. He’s been clean and sober for four years. He doesn’t go anywhere he shouldn’t, and refuses to be around anyone drinking or doing any type of drug. He’s on the right path and he’s not about to venture off course. To Quirk he says, “By sentencing me to church, I now have a personal relationship with my Lord, Jesus Christ. Thank you, judge!” In November, Jackie and his wife will celebrate 28 years of marriage, and now it’s only getting better.
PASTOR VINCE AND BRIDGET
Vince and Bridget lived hard and fast. They were, in their own words, heathens and their lives were hell. On any given Sunday morning they would have one or more people passed out on their porch. Bridget didn’t drink but Vince drank enough for both of them. They thought it was fun.
During one of their “fun” times, Vince was arrested and charged with DWI and sent to jail. Vince was able to go through Pre-trial Diversion, meaning he didn’t have to appear before a judge. Part of his probation stipulated he’d attend church services. Unbeknownst to him, Vince’s choice to attend church was only offered because Judge Quirk had fought for it.
Vince started going to church and got saved. Bridget started attending church and also got saved. Vince quit his job and became a missionary in South Mexico. Years later, Vince and Bridget returned and became pastors of Open Door Biker Church. One day, a friend stopped by and Vince shared his testimony. When his friend discovered Vince had never met the judge who made church sentencing possible, he asked if he wanted to meet him. When Vince met Quirk, the latter asked, “What can I do for you?” Pastor Vince replied, “Because of the work you did to make church attendance an alternative, Judge Quirk, not only am I saved, I’m a pastor.” Quirk shed tears, seeing first hand the fruits of his legal fight. Pastor Vince adds, “I don’t think Judge Quirk realizes just how many lives he has touched.”
Bridget said, “Vince and I were the walking dead. We have an abundant life and I have a husband who is my best friend.” “Yeah, it’s awesome!” says Pastor Vince. The Open Door Biker Church feeds the homeless and provides shelter. “It’s not a handout. It’s a hand up.” Because of Judge Quirk’s vision and work, countless lives are being changed from the transformation of one man, Pastor Vince.
We cannot measure the importance of giving someone hope. Attending church services can produce a spark that can lead to a fire — a fire and love for the Word of God and wanting to live the best life possible. Some of the greatest breakthroughs come by change. Judge Quirk saw a need to break away from simply imposing fines and jail time, and lives within our own community and throughout the state are better off because of his vision.
The personal accounts I shared above are perfect examples that no one is ever so far gone that they are out of the reach of God’s grace. Each of these individuals has expressed gratitude and gives back to the community. Through their trials, they are able to witness and help others, to be an example that with the love of family and God, anything can be overcome. I would also like to note that each person above stated they wanted their real name used because they wanted to honor Judge Quirk for so positively affecting their lives.
It’s imperative that you know your candidate for judge and what he stands for. This is not a popularity contest. A judge, to honor his position as best he can, should possess a willingness to listen and consider all sides placed before him. He should be able to communicate effectively and without prejudice, exhibiting humility, compassion, understanding and common sense. Public trust is placed on judges, and many of the rulings he hands down will be both criticized and scrutinized. He should be courageous, have integrity and be of the best character. This describes the judge who is being forced to retire. Let’s make sure we replace him with someone who will continue down the path he has set forth — for you, for me and for all the citizens of Lake Charles.
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