We Have to Be Tough on Crime While Being Fair to The Offender and Impose Responsibility For Bad Behavior
By Don Brockett
The recent article in the Spokesman by the Los Angeles professor about what we should do now that the new jail measure was defeated should be answered by someone who worked in the criminal justice system for many years.
Apparently, some have forgotten the purpose of that system, to bring about justice for the victims of crime. You know, those things that we, through our elected representatives, have decided people should not engage in like murder, rape, robbery, burglary, theft, etc., etc. The system was not developed for the defendant although concern for offenders brought about many procedures that are supposed to assure a fair trial. The actual reason was to take the place of the biblical “eye for an eye” philosophy by having a system that replaced the need for revenge.
With all the changes aimed toward providing “services” for the defendants, the needs of the victim have been forgotten. What services are provided to the victim when the judge denies her a no-contact order and the offender follows her home and kills her? What services are provided for the grocery store when thieves are allowed to carry merchandise out of the store untouched without fear of apprehension or punishment? It appears that in some locations the merchandise is locked behind glass making it more difficult for law-abiding people to shop in order to safeguard the goods. Is that cost figured in with the shortsighted view that more “services” should be provided to those arrested for crimes? Of course not. The entire focus is on the “offender.”
Apparently, it has also been forgotten that one of the other purposes of the “system” is to have a deterrent effect. That can only occur if those contemplating criminal behavior fear that if caught, they will have to suffer some unpleasant consequences, not be provided “services.”
What we must do is to use common sense, to understand that people have a natural tendency to do whatever they can get away with, that is why children have been given parents to teach them those lessons. It would be much more effective to try to cause such a change in society than to offer “services” to those who offend knowing no responsibility will be imposed.
Unfortunately, this lesson is usually not learned until one becomes a victim themselves, then they finally wake up to the realization that you have to be tough on crime while being fair to the offender and impose responsibility for bad behavior. Isn’t that what you do with your kids? Why do we let some people remain kids for all their lives? It is up to us to make the change so more people will act responsibly.
Don Brockett, former Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney. See my articles at dcbrockett.substack.com and view my website at donaldbrockettauthor.com