Most things to do with democratic governance come in layers. That has a tendency to slow the process and often makes folks wonder why things don’t occur faster than they do — or don’t occur at all. WE ARE a nation of laws and a person arrested is innocent until proven guilty.
The reason is to protect the governed, and not let the process slip to a dictatorial approach.
Case in point is crime and punishment.
When a crime occurs citizens have initial responsibility of making a report and being cooperative with officers as evidence and facts are accumulated; then Joe and Jane Citizen should retire and let officers exercise their talents to investigate and draw together pertinent information.
Officers construct a case from interviews and observations. Good officers — we’ve some of the best in Allen County and its cities — take their time, make sure no stone is left unturned and then arrange all they have learned in a manner that takes the case to the next layer.
The county attorney — or one representing a city — fits the pieces together in a fashion that he thinks will convince a judge or jury or both that the person arrested has committed the crime.
Prosecutors also have the responsibility of not proceeding if the case fails to past muster — isn’t supported by sufficient evidence to give them reason to think the person arrested is guilty of the crime committed.
The unfortunate outcome of arrests and formal charges is that people often equate either to guilt.
If a guilty verdict is rendered, anticipation is confirmed; if not, people frequently think the system has failed and that acquittal has exposed flawed prosecution.
It is to our advantage that law enforcement officers and prosecutors take their roles very seriously and meticulously go about their business. They recognize checks and balances and are careful to put them into play.
The role of citizens is to trust the system and let it play out.
— Bob Johnson
Governance has its complications
