Pubdate: Thu, 20 Aug 2009 Source: Albany Herald, The (GA) Copyright: 2009 The Albany Herald Publishing Company, Inc. Contact: http://www.albanyherald.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1747 Author: Jane S. Hartley FELONIES BY YOUTH SHOULD BE CLEARED I have been waiting for the right moment to write about how the Georgia and maybe the entire country handle felonies. In 1973, I knew some nice kids; young, foolish, just out to have a good time, and then, Bam! All their dreams were diminished. These were not rich kids whose daddies could buy their way out. These were ordinary high school boys, hanging out doing what boys did back in the '70s. These boys were herded up like steers, set up by our finest state boys and local yokels, not to mention probationers looking for a easy way out; sent to jail for drugs (yes, drugs are bad, no doubt) but these are kids, not hurting anyone but themselves. From county jail, 17- and 18-year-old boys are sent into mainstream prison with grown men, murders, child molesters, etc. They are charged with felonies, because it is illegal to sell or be in possession of drugs (makes sense). What does not make sense is it is almost 40 years later and these boys, all grown up with families, still have felonies on their records. They can't get a decent-paying job because when they apply their record comes up. So, please explain to these fine men how Mr. Buie received a job with the city of Albany, and his felony did not show up! Someone dropped the ball. I don't care about Mr. Buie, I care about those boys, now men, and I think it is way past time to clear this from their records. Anyone can make a mistake. Jane S. Hartley Leesburg - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake