SAME RULES FOR ALL

I was amazed when I read the news story that a local judge, Tom Gilbert,
was caught smoking marijuana at a concert. What is so surprising is that I
have seen Judge Gilbert in court belittle and degrade people for marijuana
use, and then hand down extreme sentences. Where is the justice here?
Average citizens who are caught smoking marijuana go to jail, but when our
judges are caught, they just take a leave of absence and have their case
loads changed. This judge should lose his right to practice law and be
kicked off the bench. Our drug court is tied to funding and stiff
sentencing. So the same rules should apply to judges who are caught
breaking the law as they do to others. Judge Haley states that people,
including judges, should get a second chance. Well, then, this should hold
true for every other person who has faced these judges in the Drug Court.
What works for one works for all. Once again, we see those in high places
getting away while those who aren't suffer. Is this any different than Enron?

Danielle Freund

Traverse City