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
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