08-20-2011, 04:47 AM
Here we go again. This is yet another instance where serious crime is dealt with by a slap on the wrist. If we get any explanation at all, it's usually that the prosecutors blame the police for evidentiary lapses, the police blame the prosecutors for lack of aggressive prosecution, and the judges say, "We're just going along with the plea bargain." Ultimately, the judges do have the power to reject plea bargains in the interest of justice, but the truth is that they rarely do in this county. The excuse for that is typically that the prosecutors wouldn't have gone for the plea bargain if they had a case strong enough for a conviction with a tough sentence. This circular reasoning/blaming just goes on and on. Rant over.