Criminal charges

Whenever individuals who hold positions of public trust are accused of committing crimes, the constitutional standard of "innocent until proven guilty" often falls by the wayside. That has been the case in recent weeks in Southeast Missouri.

Dozens of individuals have taken the time to make Speak Out comments and write letters to the editor making all sorts of accusations in some of these cases. While these comments and letters may represent the opinions of their authors, they do not past muster as fair comment. They appear to be the result of grudges or, in some extreme cases, outright hatred for individuals who have been charged with criminal wrongdoing.

Speak Out and letters to the editor are no place for wild accusations of criminal misconduct. Any information that someone has committed a crime should be reported to those who can properly investigate and, if warranted, file charges. If you have information about any crime that has been committed, call the police, sheriff's department or prosecuting attorney in your county.

This nation's criminal justice system is not perfect, but it provides the best procedures for reporting crimes and prosecuting those whose actions are considered to be illegal. Our system also provides the accused an opportunity to defend themselves in open court. That's the way it should be.

In the meantime, those who are being prosecuted do not deserve the personal attacks that are too frequently made. Serious concerns about any criminal activity should go through the proper channels our system makes available to those who have been wronged or who have information about those who break the law.