Confidence in the system: Jones verdict should reassure that all are treated the same

Regular folks are not expected to be perfect.

Superior court judges are.

The conviction of Judge Arnold Jones on bribery charges should come as good, albeit sad news, to the people of Wayne County. It should restore some of their faith in the local legal system, if it needs restoring in some people's minds.

No one, not even a superior court judge, is above the law. Most of us cynically do not believe that statement. The public often thinks the powerful can get away with things the average Joe cannot. Sometimes people think that too much. The reality, we have learned over many years, is that the law really does work for the most part. If you do bad you get caught, no matter who you are. There are plenty of honest men and women working on it right now.

Jones, a popular public figure, is the son of the late Arnold Jones Sr., the last of the state's judges who did not hold a law degree.

Jones appealed his case immediately, of course. And he could be found not guilty in a higher court. Or at least given a new trial. Not to mention the fact that he remains on the November ballot. We would not bet that Jones won't emerges with the most votes, despite his conviction.

But it might well not matter. The decision of whether Jones could serve will depend on the state Board of Elections. And we hear they are honest, too.

Published in Editorials on October 27, 2016 10:01 AM