Local law enforcement is calling on the public to attend more court hearings.

Due to some recent decisions by a judge, Greene County Sheriff Jack Williams and Jefferson Police Chief Mark Clouse are urging the public to attend sentence hearings. In two such hearings, one criminal admitted his was a life-long criminal, while the other had testimonies from the sheriff, police captain and parole officer tell the judge the criminal was “an imminent threat to our community.” Even the prosecutor, Greene County Assistant Attorney Thomas Laehn, argued for prison and the judge imposed probation instead.

Clouse says he wants more people to attend sentence hearings so that the community can take more ownership of court proceedings and it sends a message to the judge that people care about their community and want to see it protected.

Sentence hearings for district court happen the second and fourth Fridays of the month. Contact the Clerk of Court’s office at 386-2516 to find out details of a sentence hearing.