CAN'T DO TIME? DON'T DO CRIME

Regarding "Lack Of Black Judges Causes Concern" (front page, May 6):

Something simply must be done to remedy the situation involving black
defendants repeatedly being brought before a Caucasian judge and
potentially not getting a "fair shake."

The question is, what exactly is it we must do? I spent many seconds
pondering this dilemma and I came up with what I think is a
relatively simple solution.

If black men stop using or selling drugs, committing robberies or
murders or assaults or rapes or home invasions or carjackings,
failing to pay child support, driving under the influence, etc., then
the "problem" will resolve itself. Certainly Caucasian, Hispanic,
Native American and Asian men engage in virtually all of these same
lawless offenses, but the outcry here is over the fact that black men
are being dragged before a Caucasian judge after having done so.

I have been living in Tampa for more than seven years now and I have
yet to be faced with the prospect of being treated unfairly by a non-
black judge. I lived in Los Angeles for 15 years and never stood
before a Caucasian judge there, either. In fact, the only time I ever
stood before a criminal court judge of any ethnic group was in New
York as a foolhardy 17-year-old after having committed a serious
crime. I got a break - by the way, the judge was Caucasian - and I've
never set foot in a courtroom other than for a minor traffic ticket
since that day.

It's clear to me (I'm black, in case you're wondering - well,
actually, I'm golden, brown) that if you don't break the law, you'll
rarely, if ever, need to concern yourself with who's presiding over
cases in the criminal courts.

It's quite tragic to me that so many black men are effectively
relinquishing control of their own destinies by engaging in lawless
behavior and then raising a hue and cry about the injustice of not
having their fate placed in the hands of a "brother" - a black jurist
who they foolishly believe will identify with them. Don't do the
crime if you can't do the time.

The writer is a software consultant living in Tampa.