While I was in court recently, I must have heard the judge repeat ``Case dismissed!'' at least 10 times. Unaware how the real justice system works, I was not sure why case after case was dismissed.

At 9 a.m., the action began. They called a name. A lawyer approached the bench. A police officer was called, but was a no show.

The next thing I heard: ``Case dismissed.'' One case appeared to be drug-related. As the exuberant young man walked away, the judge said, ``Don't use drugs again.'' Wow -- what a system!

Is this how the justice system should work? You commit a crime or an infraction, you get a court date and if the arresting police officer does not show up, it never happened.

Shouldn't officers be accountable and required to be present at the trial?

It is not as if they were notified to appear in court the day before.

ED FERMO, Miami

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