Editor, Gazette-Journal:

As a taxpaying citizen, I often read the crime blotter. I pay attention to names, repeat names and sentences that are nolle prossed or dismissed. Time after time, people who get in trouble never really get in trouble.

Take, for instance, a 30-year sentence with 25 years suspended. This person had been given two, three and he was possibly on his fourth chance. Come on, judges and lawyers. Why should my, our, tax dollars pay for this man to repeat again? He will, it is proven.

The last time he was out, it lasted maybe two years. Then he gets caught with a sawed-off shotgun in the car and drugs. He is a convicted felon. The gates of prison should have just opened for him. If that was me, the key would have been thrown away.

I am a law-abiding citizen. It is wrong to have no regard for laws—period. Against the law is plain and simple. The reason the world is in this vicious cycle of repeat offenders is because there is no punishment for the criminal. If the laws were enforced and punishments handed down the first time, there possibly would be less repeat offenders. Everyone wants to blame something for this misbehavior; a bad childhood, alcohol, drugs, divorce, etc. If people were responsible and understood there were consequences for bad behavior, then I wouldn’t be writing this. Morals and values have to be taught at home from the beginning. Parents have to set good examples for their children. It is not society’s job to fix broken people.

Judges, be responsible to the folks that you work for. I applaud the judge in Mathews for actually making someone go to jail for stealing money from hardworking, trusting people, until his sentence is handed down. Good for you.

Deirdre Lund

Cobbs Creek, Va.