Our community sorely needs a dose of common sense injected into an important part of the criminal justice system — local judges.

Law enforcement officers are arresting people who are breaking the law, but unfortunately a handful of local judges appear to be releasing some of those people before the ink has even dried on their booking paperwork.

A prime example of this occurred last month. A 20-year-old Natchez man was arrested with a loaded pistol and marijuana in his possession on July 15. While the marijuana possession is illegal, it’s not terribly uncommon.

What is uncommon was the man’s reaction when officers sought to detain him. He fled, fighting with officers who ultimately had to subdue the man with a stun gun.

Then, literally hours later, a local judge, Adams County Justice Court Judge Patricia Dunmore released the man on his own recognizance, meaning he just promised to show up for court.

He was arrested just more than week later, charged again with drug possession.

Had the young man simply been found in possession of marijuana, but complied with officers such a release based on a promise to appear would seem justified.

But if you’re armed and flee from the police, fight with them and must be forcibly arrested, perhaps you need a little time in a cell to reconsider your actions and gain a little perspective before reentering civil society.

Thankfully, we are a nation of laws and everyone is innocent until proven guilty, including this young man.

But our system of law also places the responsibility of good judgment with our criminal judges. They must set bonds that are fair and fit the severity of the case and the risk of the suspect fleeing.

However, when they fail to meet that task, the public’s best interests are not served and law enforcement officers are left to think their work and their daily risks mean nothing.