“Justice rides a slow horse, but it always overtakes,” is a great line penned by country music singer turned author Kinky Friedman. 

It was a mantra I’m sure some of the investigators I worked with got sick of hearing me repeat. It’s a wonderful line that I have found to be true, time and time again.

The line rings true because all too often it takes a long time to get criminals off the street. In these tough economic times, it seems even harder to send a criminal to jail. The jails are overcrowded and many “property crimes,” crimes without violence or the threat of violence, get very minimal - if any - incarceration time.  

'Justice rides a slow horse but it always overtakes.'

File photo 

Violent offenders still get locked up. If need be, our corrections facilities will release property criminals to make room for violent criminals.

But common thieves - those who steal from our cars, garages, workplaces, stores, credit card accounts and sometimes our homes - are often arrested, charged and released on bond. There never seems to be enough room in our correctional facilities, so once in front of a judge or magistrate, these criminals are released to await trial. 

The problem is the career criminal sees this time back on the street “pending trial” as a time to commit “freebie” crimes.   

Street savvy criminals know any crimes they commit and are unlucky enough to get caught committing during this limbo time will all be part of a large plea bargain before trial. This is not the fault of the prosecutor, courts or corrections, but rather is an unfortunate byproduct of a criminal justice system that is simply overburdened.

For those who work in the criminal justice system, it is extremely frustrating. Those who protect and serve their communities must learn patience or they will retire burned out, bitter and cynical. The American criminal justice system has many failures, but it is still the best and fairest on the planet.

Criminal justice professionals must take comfort in Friedman’s words that speak of either karma or some force in the universe. All things seem to balance out.   

Experienced police officers realize that sometimes those few that the criminal justice cannot reach will inevitably fall prey to my own adage, which is: “Sometimes the streets are self-sweeping.” 

Put another way, even the biggest, baddest, meanest bully on the street will inevitably fall. If not by the criminal justice system, then perhaps by a bigger, badder, meaner bully or a collection of those they have bullied. 

One way or another, “Justice rides a slow horse but it always overtakes.” 

Lock it up, don’t leave it unattended, be aware and watch out for your neighbors.

Rich Kinsey is a retired Ann Arbor police detective sergeant who now blogs about crime and safety for AnnArbor.com.