Courts should think as much about victims as perpetrators

Courts should think as much about victims as perpetrators
EDITOR:
I am a foster parent licensed through Trumbull County Children's Services Board for almost 30 years. I have had two children in my home for nearly two years who are mentally retarded and have cerebral palsy. During these two years, the father and his attorney have successfully won their games with the judicial system.
Initially the father had an attorney from another county representing him who appealed every decision made by the judge. Once the final appeal was heard, the father decided to represent himself. Now, three months later, he has decided he needs an attorney. The judge granted him this request and now this attorney is going to need additional time to prepare his case. I cannot believe that our judges have to allow such a thing.
One of these children has been sexually abused repeatedly by relatives, and both children have been mentally and physically abused. The laws seem to protect the perpetrator. What about these poor children who are the real victims? They are reabused every time they go to counseling or have a nightmare, as well as every time we think we are going to court.
Don't misunderstand me, I believe in our Constitution. My husband, son and son-in-law are in the military fighting to protect these very rights. I am proud to live in the United State of America, but our Constitution also guarantees our right to a speedy trial. This needs to apply to the victim as well as the perpetrator. We need to change our laws to limit the number of continuances granted and the number of appeals that can be made. These cases need to have a time limit on the length of time it is in court from the initial arraignment to the sentencing, especially in cases involving children.
Let's get after our political representatives, judges and our attorneys to change the laws that need to be changed and to stop these perpetrators from making a sham of our judicial system by having to give into them.
DEBBIE SACKETT
Hubbard