Pubdate: Tue, 27 Nov 2007
Source: Crowsnest Pass Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2007 Crowsnest Pass Herald
Contact:  http://www.passherald.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4531
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

WHERE IS THE JUSTICE?

The other night while watching news on T.V. I watched as a native 
fellow was facing charges as a "Dangerous Offender" because he had 
lost his drivers' licence eighteen times and had been charged with 
Vehicular Homicide in the death of four innocent people. Then on the 
news the next time I witnessed an "Amber Alert" posted in the 
disappearance of the 6 year old boy from Drumheller. The perpetrator 
was apprehended and will appear in court on charges of illegal 
confinement and kidnapping. I hope he also faces charges as a 
Dangerous Offender.

If you are found guilty of being a Dangerous Offender then you can 
receive up to a lifetime in prison. Then there are known pedophiles 
who are allowed to bargain with the court system and are not defined 
as Dangerous Offenders. In fact they are usually repeat offenders 
that have been parolled early.

Then there are those who rape, murder, dissemble the bodies of their 
chosen victims. There are criminals who have been charged as serial 
rapists, serial murderers that are not even considered Dangerous 
Offenders and usually get just a few years and their sentence 
includes time already served awaiting trial, or they may even be 
released for good behaviour.

We mustn't forget those who prey (usually pedophiles) on young people 
who use the chat lines or are on Face Book in the computers they are 
using. According to law officials these are the hardest people to 
find and are capable of luring young boys and girls out of their 
place of safety - home. When captured are these people consider 
Dangerous Offenders?

Then there are the grow operations where children are living and the 
parents are usually higher than kites. When these people are found 
and convicted are they declared Dangerous Offenders? Are repeat 
offenders of any type declared Dangerous Offenders? I don't know. Do 
you? What has happened to our justice system and the laws that govern 
people to do what is right or pay the penalty if you do not follow these laws?

I would have to believe the best plea is the insanity plea - for sure 
then you won't be declared as a Dangerous Offender, no matter what 
crime you have committed against society. I'm not sure what 
constitutes a Dangerous Offender but someone out there must know. If 
someone has the answer please write, send us an e-mail, fax or 
whatever, and share your information with the rest of us.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom