DRUG DEALERS' SENTENCES ARE APPALLING

I read with great interest the article titled Pitt County Superior Court,
Criminal Division in the April 14 edition of The Daily Reflector, and it is
appalling to read the disposition of the cases.

For example, according to all accounts, by far the cause of the majority of
the crimes in the county are drug-related. I assume this means the persons
selling drugs and the persons that buy drugs and the various crimes that
the persons commit to obtain money to purchase drugs.

During the week of April 1, the Superior Court tried 38 cases, 14 of which
were for possession with intent to sell. Almost every one of the defendants
pleaded guilty; they admitted their guilt. What were the sentences? Most
every one received probation, and some have to perform some community service.

Are these very light sentences a result of the universal sentencing laws?
Are drug dealers to go free to ply their trade without fear of being
incarcerated? What message does this send to persons who might want to deal
in drugs? What message does this send to the law officers that pursue the
drug dealers?

To let the drug dealers off with nothing more than probation is, in my
opinion, criminal in itself.

One last point: Could The Daily Reflector print the names of the judges who
dispose of the cases?

With the elections coming up, I am certain that some of we citizens would
like to be informed of the track record of the judges who are certain to
want to be re-elected.

DON BOYLE

Winterville