Habitual offenders in Forrest and Perry counties had better sit up and take notice: The criminal justice system will no longer tolerate the threat you pose to society.
Law-abiding, taxpaying citizens of Forrest and Perry counties should take heart: The judicial system is serious about protecting the rights of victims.
This is precisely the way it should be.
Forrest-Perry District Attorney Jon Mark Weathers has been in office for 20 months. During that time, defendants in 15 cases have received enhanced penalties because they are habitual felons.
Weathers is employing statutes that provide harsher penalties for offenders with multiple felony convictions.
In two cases, defendants received life sentences. In 13 cases, the penalties were doubled.
"We need the habitual criminals out of our communities," said Weathers. "We can't do this in every case, but the cases that come under this habitual offender law we will."
Justice is being meted out to repeat felony offenders in Forrest and Perry counties.
This is a source of encouragement to honest citizens.
It should also serve as a deterrent to criminals who think they can "beat the system."
Not in these parts.
Originally published February 22, 2005
GOOD