Pubdate: Thu, 29 May 2008 Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2008 Sarasota Herald-Tribune Contact: http://www.heraldtribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/398 Author: Ron Filipkowski Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n537/a02.html DEFENDANTS SEEKING HELP DO BETTER The letter "Defense can't be prosecutor's puppet" misinterprets the slogan on my campaign signs: "End the revolving door system!" He states that our local justice system is racist and that having an "anti-drug crusader" like me would hurt "minority defendants who have suffered under police discrimination." The public defender's office can do more to prevent crime than any other government agency. The majority of people who enter the justice system are nonviolent offenders who have substance-abuse or mental-health issues. Substance abuse drives the entire system. There are many wonderful programs and counselors in our community to help people get off drugs and improve their lives. In my practice, I have tried to steer my clients into these programs before their cases go to court. If they can take the steps necessary to turn their lives around, it is far less likely incarceration will be necessary and it is far more likely they will not come back into the system. There are people who are wrongfully accused and have been subject to illegal searches and seizures. Of course, the office must aggressively defend their rights. However, this is a small percentage of the people in the system. The majority of people I represent are minorities. Most don't come to me alleging racial discrimination by the police. They come to me wanting help. I direct the people who most need help to the people most able to provide it. If we do that on a larger scale, we can begin to stop the revolving door. Ron Filipkowski The writer is a candidate for public defender in the 12th Judicial Circuit. He resides in Sarasota. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek