LEGAL LOOPS I have a feeling that tells me most of us know by now that legal systems have many turning points.
In some manner even opposite paths , taken with careful attention to detours, side roads and portage areas can even lead identical destinations.
The Halloway-Twitty case in the Caribbean island of Aruba set a firm example of just how varied such legal systems can be. The complex case interested millions of American television viewers because the victim was an American college student who Class Trip to the romantic island. The case had special promise the form was complicated and could deal with possible kidnapping plots in the disappearances, and murder.
For the first time in many American TV viewers TV viewer saw the Dutch legal system at work. Almost at once, it proved to be puzzling to the American and I overheard on man say he thought the Dutch had hired Sherlock and Dr. Watson to talk about the case. Many Americans - totally unaware of the domain in which the crime had been committed - could not understand why we could not "send our F.B.I. to clean up this mess!" Many American critics if the Dutch way of solving criminal cases expressed their doubt that the Aruba case would ever be solved. As of today their bets still hold firm.
Closer to home I am constantly disturbed by the quality of justice as I see it vary widely in different degrees. Offenses can be ignored in one area while the same act in another jurisdiction draws a fine or even jail time. How wide can the definition of a crime become, I often wonder?
I wonder,too, at the marked tendency of lengthen in time spent in limbo between the commission of the crime and the trial date. I question the wisdom of legal persons simply decreeing that set dates for hearings, reports, studies and trials, as well, can be delayed and re-set for dates months ahead at the convenience of judges or other officials.
Justice delayed is costly throughout the entire judicial system - a luxury we cannot afford.
Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 10-25-06
[c-363wds]
