Justice isn’t swift, certain

An article in Monday’s paper wonders why violent crime has spiked across America. Does emptying our prisons truly aid society? Isn’t our failure to deport violent illegal aliens a prelude to disaster? Aren’t plea bargains of serious offenses reduced to a slap on the wrist part of the problem? Are we truly a kinder, gentler society by protecting the rights of the criminal over the rights of their victims?

We once understood that for justice to prevail punishment for violating society’s laws must be swift and sure. When you broke the law you knew in advance what the consequences would be.

Now, however, prosecutors enhance their conviction rates and electability through plea bargains to offenses bearing little or no resemblance to the original crime committed. Judges take pity on offenders and release them back into society without adequate consideration for the underlying offense or the danger these criminals pose. It now takes months or in some cases a year or longer before a case reaches trial stage. This is not the way our justice system was intended to work and is largely due to deal making prior to trial.

Justice must be for all, society and the offender.

Louis Perry

Sandpoint