
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 15, 1991                   TAG: 9103150806
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A/10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

RUDD WAS EFFECTIVE AS DRUG PROSECUTOR

YOUR NEWS article March 6 about the resignation of Jeffrey L. Rudd as regional drug prosecutor reported he is unhappy with the bureaucratic aspects of his office and intends to return to private practice.

The people of the city of Roanoke should be very thankful for Mr. Rudd's tenure. He has worked long hours developing his cases. He has become very expert in presenting the evidence.

As a result, illegal drug traffic in Roanoke has been reduced considerably. While Mr. Rudd has been a tough opponent of lawyers facing him in the courtroom, he has been courteous and cooperative outside the courtroom.

Any lawyer worth his salt can argue either side of a case. The lawyer who defends a murderer is not saying murder is right, but is advocating the position of the accused within the framework of the law. Judging by his success as the drug prosecutor, Mr. Rudd should do well in private practice.

In England, a barrister will prosecute on behalf of the crown at one trial and defend the accused against the crown at another. In this country, all criminal prosecutions are by a district attorney or commonwealth's attorney, and there is a vast pool of private trial lawyers whose talents are not used for criminal prosecutions. Because Mr. Rudd will no longer be available for drug prosecutions, the people of Roanoke have lost an able warrior in the war against illegal drugs.

JOHN H. KENNETT JR.

ROANOKE

by CNB