CRIMINAL SYSTEM TOUGH ON DRUG CRIMES ONLY

In the April 13 article, "Credibility issues with 2 witnesses lead to plea
deal," Juan Cruz, whose father was killed by drunk driver Marissa Rodriguez,
said: "I just feel like the system is always for protecting the rights of
the criminals."

With all due respect to the Cruz family, the problem is that Rodriguez
"only" killed their father. In this country people who commit murder that is
not premeditated serve very little time; on the average, seven years or
less.

However, when it comes to non-violent drug crimes, criminals can really get
hammered. There are plenty of people serving life sentences in this country
for marijuana conspiracy.

Unfortunately, "tough on crime" mostly translates to "tough on drug crimes."
As a result, the prisons are already too full of non-violent criminals to
make room for those who are violent; or who cause serious injury or death.

If Rodriguez had had marijuana in her vehicle instead of alcohol in her
system, she would be doing some real time.

Charles Crehore