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Opening Arguments

Justice delayed

Can you imagine being one of these 191 people, knowing you've been charged with something and worrying for eight or nine years when they're going to come and drag you into court?

The Johnson County prosecutor today announced the dismissal of misdemeanor criminal charges against 191 defendants whose files were submitted to the Greenwood City Court in 1998 and 1999 but were apparently hidden by a former court employee.

"Prosecution of these charges is barred by law because of the lapse of time," prosecutor Lance Hamner said in a news release. "Our dismissing of these cases is simply in recognition of the requirements of a law promulgated by the Indiana Supreme Court.

I wonder how many of these people have gotten in trouble again and how many have stayed on the straight and narrow. If I were in that situation, I think I'd be inclined to keep my nose clean. Perhaps we've discovered a brand-new deterrent.

Shoulder to the wheel. Just wanted to throw in one more cliche.

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