Judge's rulings seem to run contrary to maxim that justice is, or should be, blind

By Scott Sexton
Winston-Salem Journal

Imagine the outcry if a white judge used race as a factor in determining guilt. Protesters would take to the streets with righteous - and justified - outrage.

Last week, Judge Roland Hayes of Forsyth District Court cited race at least twice in letting accused petty thieves walk away with a prayer for judgment continued - a ruling that means that the charge will be dismissed if a defendant makes it through a set period of time without being arrested on a similar offense.

“I’m trying to help you. You look like me,” Hayes said to Monsha Lucas, one of two sisters charged with shoplifting from Wal-Mart. Like Lucas, Hayes is black.

Part of his reasoning became clear a little while later when he lectured Jasmine Blackwell, who was charged with shoplifting, about consequences.

“If you look like me and you got a criminal record, you’re going to have a hard time finding a job,” Hayes said.

That’s probably true. But does that make it right?