Judges, police should be more caring

With the ongoing talks of justice reform, I’m having a hard time grasping how judges handle things at times in their courts. How police handle the victims who are struggling addicts and how courts handle the defendant who is struggling. Victims often have been lied to or conned, and many victims are dealing with financial issues and mental illness.

It seems judges are quick to dismiss the case or offer an appeal and, at times, that person is afraid to appeal because of the behavior of the judge. There needs to be more help offered to put a stop to the chain of others getting hurt.

Who is to blame when a victim steals from or robs a place after leaving the court for a high? We blame addicts, but the addicts’ front lines are police officers and judges and friends and family, or at least they should be. Why can’t judges and police order or bring the addict to visit the rehab place or addictresources center and speak with someone on treatment and get some counseling?

I do feel magistrate court needs to have a jury in the courtroom to determine if a person is guilty or not. I never felt it was right for one person to have so much power.

Police and judges need to have the mindsets of a doctor, a caring nature at times. I do feel victims would feel much better if the defendant were offered help in these situations rather than getting a judgment and most likely never seeing the money.

LARRY YONISH JR. Youngwood, Pa.