The Changhua District Court’s recent decisions to release suspects accused of causing drug-impaired vehicle accidents and injuring police officers without bail have sparked a public outcry.
The incidents prompted Changhua Mayor Lin Shih-Hsien (林世賢) on Saturday to blast what he described as a “lenient judge,” saying he would file a complaint with the Control Yuan.
On Thursday, a 28-year-old wanted man surnamed Shih (施) allegedly attempted to flee from police while under the influence of drugs, injuring a police station chief and an officer in the process.
Photo courtesy of the Changhua City Office
Police station chief Chen Kuo-ming (陳國銘) and officer Chao Ping-yi (趙秉逸) from a precinct in Puyan Township (埔鹽) visited Shih’s residence in connection with another case, the police said.
Shih allegedly attempted to flee using his car and reversed his vehicle into officers who were trying to intercept him, the police said.
Chen was run over, while Chao’s fingers were cut by broken glass when he smashed the car window to stop the vehicle.
Chao managed to subdue and arrest Shih, who tested positive for amphetamines and etomidate in a rapid test, police said.
The case was transferred to the Changhua District Prosecutors’ Office on charges of offenses against public safety and obstructing official duties.
Prosecutors on Friday requested that the court detain Shih, as he is believed to be a flight risk.
However, the court ruled that detention was not necessary and ordered his release without bail, triggering widespread criticism from the public and law enforcement.
Prosecutors said they would appeal.
In a similar case on May 30, a man who had crashed a small truck carrying gas cylinders was allegedly under the influence of drugs.
The man had tested positive for methamphetamine and etomidate, and prosecutors asked that he be detained, but the Changhua District Court rejected the request and released him without bail.
The rulings have dealt a serious blow to the morale of prosecutors and police, said a police officer who declined to be named.
Other frontline officers expressed frustration, saying they feel like they “catch suspects only to doubt their own efforts.”
Lin said he would file a complaint with the Control Yuan and call for a review of any possible irregularities.
When police officers are seriously injured while carrying out their duties, it raises public concern over whether court decisions adequately consider officers’ safety and the maintenance of public order, he said.
A fugitive suspected of drug use allegedly rammed a police officer, causing serious injuries, yet was released without bail, Lin said, adding the case goes beyond a single incident, and touches on public confidence in judicial fairness and public safety.
Later yesterday evening, the court issued a press release stating it has recently detained ten cases involving drug-driving.
The release stressed that the outcomes of individual cases should not be taken as reflecting the legal stance of all judges on such matters, nor should they be seen as indicating any conflict between the courts and the prosecution, or as leniency toward drug-driving.
Additional reporting by Chang Tsung-chiu
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