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Justice delayed is justice denied

Just when we thought it was safe to have a little confidence in the justice system in Ward County comes this – limited access to legal representation and damn the right to a speedy trial.

If you haven’t already read about it on today’s front page, some local defense attorneys are speaking out on how limited their access to incarcerated clients has become during the ongoing jail construction. It appears the problem is so serious that court cases are dragging on.

First of all, that is not fair to defendants; we believe all are still presumed innocent in Ward County until proven guilty. Then, again, maybe we’re wrong about that.

Secondly, the delays in court hearings and meetings between defendants and public defenders is not only disgusting it is costing county residents even more money.

One room for lawyers and their clients to meet cannot realistically accommodate all. We are promised that the situation is “temporary” but that means nothing to citizens of this country who are being held at the Ward County Jail NOW pending court appearances.

What’s the solution? First you have to admit that there is even a problem, then you have to give a hoot. It seems there has been a little progress made on the front end of that assessment but there’s a long, long way to go on the latter.

Perhaps the Ward County Commission will take an interest in this situation and provide the Sheriff’s Department with some better options.

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