Vancouver resident Peter Bracchi says ‘while this model has helped some people, we should be alarmed at how quickly it’s evolving into a two-tiered legal system’

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com

Vancouver has prided itself on innovative approaches to justice, including Community Court programs designed to address homelessness and low-level crime through support services. While this model has helped some people, we should be alarmed at how quickly it’s evolving into a two-tiered legal system — where personal background or political sympathy may now determine whether someone is fully held accountable under the law.

Community Court was never intended to replace the judicial system; it was a workaround — first for unhoused individuals — meant to pair accountability with services. But we are now watching this “alternative justice” model being proposed for alcohol-related offenses, mental illness, and veterans — and it doesn’t stop there.

If we follow the logic being applied, we could soon be looking at community courts for:

     •   Individuals who commit crimes (DUI, shoplifting, neglect)

     •   Chronic traffic offenders

     •   People involved in public fights or bar incidents

     •   Teens or adults who harass others online

     •   Repeat animal neglect offenders

     •   Individuals who commit crimes but say they don’t “agree with the law”

What about next year? Courts for social media influencers? Offenders who were “having a bad day”? People who feel misrepresented politically?

This is not compassionate justice — it’s a road toward legal inconsistency, leniency based on identity, and a breakdown in equal accountability. The justice system must be impartial. Carving out alternate paths for certain offenders undermines public trust and invites abuse.

The answer to community problems is not to dilute the law. It’s to enforce the law fairly, help people access services when needed — and apply the same legal standards to all of us.

Peter Bracchi
Vancouver

---

Also read:

• 
  Letter: ‘It’s said sarcasm is the lowest form of wit’
  Amboy resident Thomas Schenk criticizes Olympia’s use of “emergency clauses” and other legislative tactics that limit public participation.
• 
  Letter: ‘We’re going to give them some money and a plane ticket, and then we’re going to work with them’
  Camas resident Anna Miller supports a new structured self-deportation policy, calling it a balanced approach to immigration and economic needs.
• 
  Opinion: What the 2025 legislature tells us about why Washington’s government keeps failing
  Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center argues that Washington’s government fails because it resists humility, experimentation, and accountability in its policymaking.
• 
  Letter: Vancouver needs broader leadership than just a teacher’s lens
  Vancouver resident Peter Bracchi urges Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle not to seek another term, calling for more diverse and inclusive leadership rooted in broader experiences.
• 
  Opinion: Legislative session ‘was full of ups and downs and many learning experiences’
  Rep. John Ley reflects on the 2025 legislative session, highlighting local funding victories and warning of major tax increases passed by the majority.