Pubdate: Mon, 16 Jun 2003 Source: Surrey Now (CN BC) Copyright: 2003 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc., A Canwest Company Contact: http://www.thenownewspaper.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1462 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n851/a02.html Author: Don Povarchook Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) DRUG DEALER FREED BY JUDGE SHAKES FAITH IN LEGAL SYSTEM The Editor, Re: "Drug dealer was in wrong, so was cop," the Now, June 4. It seems more and more criminals are being let free in the presence of overwhelming evidence because judges are compelled to do so because of loopholes in the judiciary system. Just recently we read of a criminal caught in the act by an observant police officer being aquitted by a judge because of a legal loophole. Supreme court Justice Lynnn Smith finds a self-confessed criminal of a moderately serious offence not guilty. How many less serious and more importantly how many more serious offenders are let free because of similar circumstances? I didn't read any mention of Lindh Carlsons's lawyer's name. Was that because he or she was a public defender? Maybe it's about time cases that are defended by public money should be judged by a public jury. Hearing cases like this certainly gives me less confidence with our legal system. I wonder what the general public thinks? Don Povarchook, Surrey - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl