The real reason for the recent BND editorial whine about Dennis Hatch is this: Smoke and mirrors. The good people of Washington County elected a judge in November with, hypothetically, "a month and a half of legal experience ... a good month and a half" (actually, six whole years of legal experience). At the same time, the Washington County electorate elected a prosecutor with, well, no prosecutor experience per several attempts to confirm the contrary on the Internet. That lack of judicial and prosecutorial experience by both individuals begs appeals. Dennis Hatch? Twenty-seven years of experience as a prosecutor, judge and now a public defender.

The ethical quote in the editorial from William Hodes was precious. Please read Hodes' legal experience written on his own website. William has been in the legal profession his entire adult life. He's written nice legal articles and books, clerked for Justice Ruth Baden Ginsburg, and taught law at several universities. He's taken two sabbaticals. Hodes has not prosecuted, judged or defended anyone as best as I can see from his own website. I wouldn't want Hodes to defend me for jaywalking let alone a serious accusation.

So, head on east to the Washington County courthouse and watch, hypothetically, a great legal reality show in action. You will see a tremendous display of judicial and prosecutorial on-the-job training. That hypothetical OJT legal show is the show the BND doesn't want you to watch.

Art Sheridan

Swansea