When it comes to Massachusetts felonies, how serious are we, really?
In my various Attorney Sam's Takes, I have told you a number of times that there is a "game" element to our criminal justice system. I have also claimed that our concerns regarding law enforcement are not quite as straightforward as our political leaders would have us believe. In my last blog, we discussed the adventure of the escaped suspect. The suspect was wanted for drug trafficking. The evidence against the alleged drug trafficker was purportedly strong. In fact, according to law enforcement, the suspect had sold illegal drugs to an undercover police officer at least once. It was only by luck, and perhaps panic, that the suspect fled the scene while others were apparently getting arrested.
Indeed, as you would expect, there was a manhunt for the suspect. The manhunt included the use of police dogs and a helicopter. That lasted for approximately 2 hours before they gave up looking."After all", they explained, "we know who he is so we can always get him any time."
This was days ago. Is he still out there? Our system treats drug dealers like insidious and dangerous criminals. After all, look at what our government has passed as mandatory criminal sentences for drug dealers. It is commonplace to be given a mandatory sentence for drug dealing, indeed drug possession with intent to deal, which is larger than one would normally face for an attempted murder or sexual assault. And yet, there is this rather relaxed reaction to one of these allegedly escaped monsters who require such a mandatory sentence.
I wonder if he is still out there...allegedly selling the demon substance to other folks. Maybe my kids. Maybe yours.
Do you smell hypocrisy here?
Do you sense sarcasm on my part? Good.
Speaking of huge mandatory minimum drug sentences, here is another interesting little tidbit to swallow in the meantime.
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