PROHIBITION ENCOURAGES COP CORRUPTION

Spare us this type of ranting, please (Oct. 26 guest column, "Rule of
law lost in propaganda"). One of the defendants accused by Tom Coleman
of drug dealing was in another state at the time he alleged he bought
cocaine from her.

Coleman engaged in theft and exploited his position as an officer in
previous localities, and, as said by the ruling judge who tossed out
these cases, has zero credibility.

Saying that people who plead guilty obviously are guilty is quite
pollyanna. In the name of our drug war/witch hunt, we have stacked the
deck so heavily against defendants that defense lawyers will routinely
advise their clients, even if innocent, to take a plea for a reduced
charge vs. risking a multi-decade minimum mandatory sentence.

Besides, the drug war is counterproductive, so it makes little
difference if they walked or not. Clearing the field of the most
unwise drug dealers only clears a path for the more cunning and
ruthless ones.

But I'm far more frightened of a corrupt cop than a drug dealer.

Dealers give me a choice whether or not to purchase their goods; a
dirty cop strikes randomly and does not politely ask if you would like
to make a purchase.

Matthew Hulett

Brick, N.J.