The Sheriff's Opinion, For What its Worth... I am often asked what I think or feel about different issues. Sometimes it's a national issue and sometimes it's a local one. Sometimes I think I get asked so the person can disagree or start an argument. I have always felt if you don't want my opinion, don't ask. We all have an opinion and in most cases we all are pretty strong in our opinions to the point very few have an open mind as to someone else's opinion. With that in mind it is probably crazy on my part to share some of my thoughts, feelings, beliefs and opinions. I am sure there will be readers who will disagree with my thoughts, and will have different opinions. This is not meant to change anyone's mind or to try and ‘force' my opinions or beliefs on anyone. 1. I feel if you ‘do the crime' then you should ‘do the time'. There has to be repercussions when you break the law. Patting someone on the hand and telling them they shouldn't do that again, does not work in my opinion. There are only two reasons people obey the law, because they feel they morally should, or because they are afraid of getting caught. Case in point is why do people obey the speed limit? Why do people automatically hit the brake when they see a cop? Take away the fear of getting caught and there will be those will speed. 2. I believe everyone should be treated the same . To me it doesn't matter who you are, when you break the law. I have made it very clear to our officers that the citation or arrest should be based upon the circumstances and evidence, not who the person is. When someone is arrested, I feel everyone should be treated the same. If there is a bond, everyone should have to post that bond to be released from jail. Just because you have money or stature in the community shouldn't make any difference. And before someone starts quoting the law to me, again, this is my opinion. Our website displays the inmate roster. The system is designed to update itself automatically every 10 minutes. This means that everyone who is booked into our jail appears on our website. No one can keep a person's name or picture off the website. Everyone gets treated the same. Fear again, I believe, is a deterrent. I have heard from dozens of people who have either said themselves or heard others say they would not have that last drink for fear of ending up on the Sheriff's Website. 3. I think if the law specifies a punishment, it should be carried out. An example is the law concerning someone convicted of driving on a license suspended due to a conviction of DWI. The law says, and I qu
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