JUDICIAL: Tales of woe and wonder

Regarding Joann Lokken’s letter on plea bargains, I have witnessed this system in action for more than 30 years as an insider. Our nation’s founders would be aghast at what their posterity has brought upon their justice system, converting it into a “legal” system.

Their original Constitution gave no provision for criminal appeals. That process did not start until 1889. The Founders never intended for exhaustive appeals that are granted by our court systems across America today.

I filed many criminal cases in my career with the Los Angeles District Attorneys Office. I can assure you that they rejected many cases where the defendant was definitely guilty but were rejected due to the case not being a “slam dunk.” The D.A. is a political office and they use their conviction rate as a talking point for re-election. In reality, a vast majority of convictions are a plea bargain.

As to the judges being lenient, I’ve seen that too many times. One judge I remember, Judge Troost in Culver Court, gave out probation like gumdrops. Even for serious felonies like aggravated assault. We nicknamed him “Cut Them Loose Troost.” Until he became a victim himself, Troost was converted overnight to Judge Roy Bean.

Sometimes the best conservative is victimized liberal.

DENNIS HUBBS

Coeur d’Alene