WE NEED A U.S.-STYLE APPROACH TO JUSTICE

Dear Editor,

I could not suppress a sarcastic laugh over the article that I read in
your Choice Words, called "Court justice a joke," by M.A. Marshall
(News, Feb. 11) Not only do I concur that the youth criminal justice
act is a joke, but I also believe there is something wrong with the
way the courts dispense justice towards certain criminals.

Justice seems to be overly lenient when it comes to certain crimes
such as drugs or drunk driving.

Not only are the courts setting precedents, but the trend is also
further calling for repeat offenders.

How many times have we read news about apprehended-then-released
criminals being caught committing the same crime again and again.

In the U.S., I am told, for every full-grown marijuana plant that is
seized, the minimum sentence is two years.

For reckless or drunk driving resulting in injury or death, the person
responsible is sure to get jail time, not to mention huge fines and
monetary penalties. In our case, the penalty is like "penance," and
instead of sinning no more, it's here we go again.

If ever the victim was one of the judge's or government official's
family or relative, would making the one's responsible stand in the
corner be enough? I rest my case.

J. Lee

Richmond