Pubdate: Wed, 19 Jul 2006
Source: Agassiz Harrison Observer (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Agassiz Observer
Contact:  http://www.agassizharrisonobserver.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1344
Author: Smithers Interior News
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

SWEETHEART SENTENCE

If you are a defence lawyer in Smithers, forget about trying to work 
out a sweetheart plea bargain deal for your drug trafficking client 
- -- let the judge do it for you.

After three years of grinding its way through what is loosely called 
our justice system, a 24-year-old Prince George woman was found 
guilty of trafficking crystal meth.

Charissa Scarrow was charged in Telkwa on Oct. 9, 2003 and on June 
29, 2006, Smithers judge John Milne handed down the sentence.

Federal Crown attorney Rick Wozny asked for a 12-month conditional 
sentence, also known as house arrest, as well as, 12 months probation.

Defence attorney Terry Hudson pleaded with Judge Milne for half that, 
six months conditional and six months probation.

In passing down his sentence, Judge Milne said he was taking into 
consideration the damage crystal meth was doing to the community and 
also to send a message.

"There has to be a sentence that indicates to you and others that 
trafficking methamphetamines will be dealt with harshly by the 
courts," he said.

Given the Crown's request for 12 months house arrest and 12 months 
probation, and the defence's hope for six and six, Milne sent his message:

Milne sentenced Scarrow to just four months conditional and no probation.

Milne trumped even the defence's best hopes and did send a clear 
message: the revolving doors of Smithers courthouse continue to 
circle at a dizzying pace.

The other message was this: Sell crystal meth in the Bulkley Valley 
and you will be grounded for a few months -- that's about it.

Scarrow will serve her four-month sentence under house arrest with 
certain exceptions. She can go to work, go shopping, go to 
counselling and organized religious activities.

Locking them up and throwing away the key isn't the answer, but if 
Smithers is going to get a handle on its crime problem, there needs 
to be a better message than the one Judge Milne handed down.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman