ZERO JUSTICE

Rev. Roland Johnson is absolutely correct that zero tolerance makes
zero sense ("Policy can be difficult to tolerate," Dec. 15). He is
mistaken in thinking that in the case of adults we look at the
circumstance of the crime before deciding punishment. Mandatory
minimum sentencing means that the judge is prohibited from looking at
"the seriousness of the offense, the degree of involvement, the
degree of remorse." The punishment has been decided in advance by
Congress or a legislature.

There are over 400,000 nonviolent drug offenders imprisoned in this
country, more than are imprisoned in the European Union for all
offenses. Thousands are being held for conspiracy to distribute
drugs, i.e., knowing someone who is involved in drug distribution.
This is exactly the same crime that the model student Rev. Johnson is
trying to help is being punished for. The drug war has become an
excuse for zero justice for teenagers and adults.

SUZANNE WILLS, Dallas