Pubdate: Mon, 22 Nov 2004
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS)
Copyright: 2004 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html
Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805
Author: Donna S. Frizell

NO PLEA BARGAINS FOR DRUG DEALERS

My concern today is about the excessive number of plea bargains with
repeated drug offenders.

Today, drug dealers and producers of crack are caught with meth labs
in their homes and they are warranted an opportunity to plead to time
on paper, when in fact we already know that they have no intention of
quitting the business.

On the other hand, we have young children who are first-time offenders
who are being given 20 years to life in prison with no chance at
rehabilitation. Is it truly all about the money?

How do people think these repeat drug offenders get so much money to
be able to pay so-called expert lawyers to defend them?

Sure, the system may be overcrowded, but my suggestion would be to let
out some of the criminals who are nonviolent offenders and make room
for the people who are destroying our communities with drugs, creating
murderers, thieves and more drug dealers.

People who been chosen to protect the justice system need to start
taking responsibility for it and stop selling the future of America
short.

In the long run, your children and mine will pay the price for the
actions of many, and having all the money in the world won't make
things better.

Donna S. Frizell

Belzoni
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