Skip to main content

Jacquetta Simmons seeks modification of restitution order

By Howard B. Owens

Out of jail and out of work, Jacquetta Simmons, the young woman who punched an employee at Walmart on Christmas Eve 2011, is seeking a modification to the restitution order levied against her.

Her victim, Grace Suozzi, is entitled to reimbursement on $2,000 in medical expenses, Judge Robert C. Noonan has said. Simmons has been ordered to make monthly payments of $100.

According to statements made by Noonan from the bench today, Simmons is seeking a suspension of restitution payments.

While Simmons appeared in County Court today, she did so without her attorney.

She had written Noonan asking for the hearing, but her attorney, Earl Key, wasn't notified of today's court appearance in time for him to be in Genesee County Court.

Noonan rescheduled the appearance for Sept. 10.

Asked if she was looking for work, Simmons told Noonan she has applied for jobs.

Noonan told her that when she appears Sept. 10, she should have prepared an affidavit on her financial standing and outlining steps she's taken to find work.

For previous coverage of Jacquetta Simmons by The Batavian, click here.

Lisa Falkowski

To approve this modification would almost be a bigger crime than the one she committed to begin with. Judge, please don't grant this. This woman has not truly paid for her wrong doing with the time she served...and now she wants this? No way. :(

Aug 25, 2014, 8:52pm Permalink
Lisa Schwab

Wow, Lisa you read my mind! I am so sad when I read things like this and know that Grace will once again get no justice. Our justice system is such a joke it is mind blowing! It should be called justice for SOME or as I call it the IN- JUSTICE system! Depending on who you are you can get away with anything. I know how badly our system is broken and that certain people can do terrible things and commit crimes and the just how our legal and federal system just turns a blind eye. Justice is not only blind, but deaf and dumb also.

Aug 25, 2014, 9:45pm Permalink
Lincoln DeCoursey

I think Ms. Simmons is getting off easy if her only financial obligation related to this is a mere $2,000 restitution order. I would have expected a civil suit from the victim. That said, Ms. Simmons may need some time to start payments if she's not working yet.

Aug 25, 2014, 9:53pm Permalink
Phil Ricci

I think she owes what she owes. That said, if she just got out of jail, she will need some time to actually get work. A suspension does mean forgiveness. She will have to still pay this, or any other amount that they deem fit.

Aug 26, 2014, 8:33am Permalink
mark jackett

KUDOS TO ALL COMMENTS :
THIS LADY NEEDS TO STOP RIDING THE SYSTEM AND GET A F----ING REAL JOB!!!
YOU ALREADY HAVE SCAMMED THE SYSTEM CRYING THE BLUES AND SOME IDIOT FELL FOR IT AND NOW NO JAIL TIME , BE HAPPY, AND PAY YOUR DUES !! YOU ARE NOT IN PRISON WHERE YOU BELONG SO WHY CAN'T YOU FIND A JOB? ON THE OTHER HAND WHY BOTHER IF YOU CAN GET FREE FOOD,FREE CELL PHONES,FREE MEDICAL,AND GET YOUR BILLS PAID FOR WHILE YOU SIT ON YOUR ASS AND COLLECT THE POOR OLD LADY COULDN'T GET ENDS TO MEET AND HAD TO ***WORK*** TO PAY BILLS AT *** 70 ** THEN SOME LOSER COMES ALONG TO END HER WORKING DAYS AND ADDED MORE (MEDICAL) BILLS THAT SHE CANT PAY & AND TOP IT OFF HER RIGHTFUL TAXES HAS TO PAY FOR YOU TO SIT AND COLLECT?
: TO JUDGE NOONAN PLEASE AND TRY TO MAKE HER PAY OR GET A JOB IN 6 MONTHS, BUT I'M SURE SHE WILL HAVE MONEY TO GO TO HIGHER COURT AND GET IT LOWERED!!! BULLSH-- !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aug 26, 2014, 8:56am Permalink
Brenda Ranney

I wish I was able to offer Miss Simmons a job, because not only do I believe she needs to fulfill her sentencing requirement but perhaps being employed will be the start of better things for her and her child. And ultimately all of us as her community.
I can only offer suggestions such as volunteering which often leads to employment opportunities.

Some may feel that this is asking a lot but is there anyone who can give her a job ?

Aug 26, 2014, 9:55am Permalink
Scott Ogle

"I wish I was able to offer Miss Simmons a job. . ."

I wish my Batavian 'thumbs-up' option was working for Ms Gill's thoughtful and constructive comments. Kudos.

Aug 26, 2014, 10:19am Permalink
Julie A Pappalardo

What she did was terrible....however, if no one hires her, she will not be able to pay the restitution she owes. Isn't there someone out there who can help her out so that she can pay her debt to society and move on with her life? Let's all hope she learned that there are consequences for her behavior,and this will make her a better person in the end.

Aug 26, 2014, 10:31am Permalink
Julie A Pappalardo

And now I went back and refreshed my memory of this story. Contrary to what some of the commenters are saying, this woman was NOT on assistance of any kind! She was IN SCHOOL learning a trade to better herself, and had NO CRIMINAL HISTORY. Again,, she did a terrible thing, and I feel for the victim, but commenters, please read the whole story first. She deserves punishment, but 5 years in lock up is a bit excessive don't you think? Look at all the other people in the police blotter who do worse things time and time again and are still walking around town. Could we please lock THOSE people up!

Aug 26, 2014, 10:44am Permalink
Scott Ogle

"Contrary to what some of the commenters are saying, this woman was NOT on assistance of any kind! She was IN SCHOOL learning a trade to better herself, and had NO CRIMINAL HISTORY. Again,, she did a terrible thing. . ."

Julie, we must never let the facts get in the way of a good batch of rumors and hysterical cliche.

Aug 26, 2014, 10:59am Permalink
Paula Ferraro

I know of 4 young adults that just got local jobs. They are there if you look and aren't picky. IMO, if she has a smart phone, cable or internet, she has no business asking for a suspension. $100 a month isn't unreasonable. Maybe she should work 2 jobs.

Aug 26, 2014, 1:28pm Permalink
Brenda Ranney

Paula, I agree $100 per month isn't unreasonable. I do understand that for someone who has been convicted of a crime it's harder getting a job.
There is a solid underground economy here in Batavia, where a side income can be made doing lawns or all to soon snow shoveling.
There is honor in all work.

That said I certainly hope that her lawyer is coming to court with proof that she has exhausted all avenues of help such as Job Development Bureau on East Main
http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/jobdevelopment/index.html

And that Judge Noonan, asks for solid documentation of her job searches and efforts before his decision.
Interesting to note that her lawyer as easy as it was for him to give a press conference during the trial, hasn't on her behalf asked for community help.

Aug 26, 2014, 3:06pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

How many time have I heard, "These are jobs that Americans WON'T do" ?
There's always jobs on farms, if you really want work. No, you don't get to sit down until your ass looks like the backside of a '48 Packard - but, that's the good part.
And, most farms are 95% mechanical, nowadays. When I worked on a farm, we carried the stainless-steel milking machine (with the milk in it) to the cooler. Good for the abs, but hell for the smell. Today, it goes right from the cows to the cooler.

There are jobs out there. Two prerequisites are NEED and GUMPTION.

Aug 26, 2014, 3:29pm Permalink
Bob Price

She may not have been on assistance and going to school when she so kindly "accidentally" PUNCHED Grace in the face,but she conveniently got knocked up while waiting for her trial.She somehow lucked out and got out of prison ,had her kid,and is now doing what???? Who's supporting the infant? Public assistance of some kind,unless her "Church" took her under their wing......

Aug 26, 2014, 6:02pm Permalink
John Roach

I think Julie has a point. Any local business that hires here is going to catch hell and that is going to make it a lot harder for anyone to do it.

Aug 26, 2014, 6:17pm Permalink

Authentically Local