The editorial in the Feb. 3 Free Lance missed one point. A plea
bargain counts as a conviction. DA John Sarsfield seems to have a
need to win even if it results in the community being put at risk
as in the case of the Jose Sanchez murder by Joseph Azevedo.
Dear Editor,
The editorial in the Feb. 3 Free Lance missed one point. A plea bargain counts as a conviction. DA John Sarsfield seems to have a need to win even if it results in the community being put at risk as in the case of the Jose Sanchez murder by Joseph Azevedo.
California Penal Code, Section 12021(a) prohibits any person who has been convicted of a felony or specified drug offense from possessing a firearm. The offense level for violating this provision is a felony. A mandatory sentence is required. DA Sarsfield should consider enforcing this law. It would be an easy win and help improve his won/loss ratio. Such enforcement has resulted in dramatic reduction in violent crimes involving guns. Richmond, Va. experienced a 65 percent reduction in such crimes when the local government publicly enforced the Virginia mandatory sentencing law.
Enforcing existing gun laws is a much more effective method of gun control than passing additional anti-gun legislation that is not enforced.
Marvin L. Jones, Hollister
