Pubdate: Fri, 20 Sep 2002 Source: Daily News, The (CN NS) Copyright: 2002 The Daily News Contact: http://www.canada.com/halifax/dailynews/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/179 Author: Chris Lambie JUDGE: OUTCOMES 'INEVITABLY' DISAPPOINT People from various perspectives are "almost inevitably" disappointed with the outcome of criminal trials, says the Nova Scotia Supreme Court's top judge. "Perfect justice is not to be found in this courtroom," Justice Joe Kennedy said yesterday during a sentencing. "It's not to be found, perhaps, on this planet." Judges try to balance "all the various factors and come up with an appropriate response -- an appropriate ending to the process," said Kennedy, who admits to reading newspapers and watching television to find out what people think of court sentences. Occasionally, he even listens to radio talk shows to gauge public opinion on what the courts are doing. Participants are often "outraged" by sentences handed out, Kennedy said. "Sometimes, properly so." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth