It's interesting how whenever a government reacts to bureaucratic overspending, it's always education, healthcare and social programs that wear it. Why has no level of government seriously addressed the court system?
The process is horrendous.
When riots broke out in England during the summer of 2011, many were arrested, sent before a judge and hauled off to jail where they began lengthy sentences, all within a matter of days.
To date, 1,566 riot participants have appeared before magistrates. Compare this to Vancouver's Stanley Cup riot, and it's embarrassing to Canadians.
With criminal cases (and we're not even scratching the surface of civil or family courts), it seems to be delay, delay, delay.
While we believe every man is entitled to a fair trial, a skeptic would state the court system is its own little economy.
In a Penticton courtroom this week, a sex offender was ready to be sentenced, yet, for one reason or another, his sentencing has been delayed until the summer.
This is often the norm, not the exception. We could list countless examples.
With the many brilliant minds within the justice system, why can't they find methods of speeding things up? There are far too many routine appearances, times when nothing is done or failuress of key witnesses to appear.
This all costs money.
One of the reasons more people don't care is they've never experienced the system. We've all gone to school, to the doctor and dealt with the cops. Not everyone has been in a courtroom.
Those within the system may argue that if something's not done properly, it could result in a mistrial. The same individuals will suggest hiring more Crown attorneys and judges. That could help, but those who work within the system must be mandated to make it more efficient.
It sometimes takes years from when a person is arrested until he's sentenced. The wheels of Canadian justice turn slowly. This is unfair to the victims, victims' family and even the accused. Everyone deserves closure.
-Penticton Herald Managing Editor James M. Miller