Pubdate: Tue, 29 May 2001
Source: Advertiser, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 News Limited
Contact:  http://www.advertiser.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1
Author: W. N. Jubb

PUBLIC EXPECTS PENALTIES TO FIT THE CRIME

OVER the past two years, police and similar agencies have had considerable 
success in detecting and charging those responsible for illegal behaviour 
regarding drugs. The Government is discussing increasing the penalties for 
those convicted of such behaviour.

History shows that courts have too readily accepted pleas from defence 
counsel that "my client is only a gardener" relative to growing/possessing 
marijuana or "my client is simply a messenger" when caught with hard drugs.

It is high time the courts reconsider their attitudes towards these pleas 
and impose harsher penalties for serious offences as is expected by the public.

W.N. JUBB, Brighton
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom