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Blackmail Not Necessarily A Bad Thing On Drug Policy
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n807/a02.html
Newshawk: Florida LEAP http://leap.cc/tbay
Pubdate: Sun, 30 May 2004
Source: Amarillo Globe-News (TX)
Copyright: 2004 Amarillo Globe-News
Contact: letters@amarillonet.com
Website: http://amarillonet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/13
Author: Stephen Heath
BLACKMAIL NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING ON DRUG POLICY
David Maas ( May 21 letter, "Tulia blackmail sets bad
precedent" ) is correct that the actions of the drug task force
which oversaw the controversial Tulia cases in 1999 are going to cost
taxpayers across the Panhandle huge amounts. He also is correct
that a precedent has been set - future arrestees may seek legal counsel
to investigate the actions of law enforcement involved in their own
cases.
However he is incorrect that this is a "bad" precedent.
In fact, this sounds like a great precedent to me. Perhaps now the
future actions and tactics employed by police in not only Northwest
Texas, but also nationwide, more likely will respect proper legal and
constitutional protocol.
Only in this way can we have better assurance as taxpayers that the
people we place into prison cages for lengthy sentences at huge taxpayer
expense truly deserve to be there.
Additionally, police who show more respect for the law increase the
deserved respect they receive from the public at large. That
sounds like a winner for all sides, and after some short-term financial
pain, Texas Panhandle citizens will be rewarded with a long-term gain
via more improved and honest law enforcement that better protects the
public.
STEPHEN HEATH
Clearwater, Fla
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