Pubdate: Tue, 02 Jan 2001
Source: Dallas Morning News (TX)
Copyright: 2001 The Dallas Morning News
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Author: Suzanne Wills of DPFT

ZERO JUSTICE

Rev. Roland Johnson is absolutely correct that zero tolerance makes 
zero sense ("Policy can be difficult to tolerate," Dec. 15). He is 
mistaken in thinking that in the case of adults we look at the 
circumstance of the crime before deciding punishment. Mandatory 
minimum sentencing means that the judge is prohibited from looking at 
"the seriousness of the offense, the degree of involvement, the 
degree of remorse." The punishment has been decided in advance by 
Congress or a legislature.

There are over 400,000 nonviolent drug offenders imprisoned in this 
country, more than are imprisoned in the European Union for all 
offenses. Thousands are being held for conspiracy to distribute 
drugs, i.e., knowing someone who is involved in drug distribution. 
This is exactly the same crime that the model student Rev. Johnson is 
trying to help is being punished for. The drug war has become an 
excuse for zero justice for teenagers and adults.

SUZANNE WILLS, Dallas
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