Choose the two sentences in this excerpt that best explain why judges use “their discretion” with smugglers.
Tombotsoa Raharijaona, a lawyer for AVG, explained why judges often use their discretion to let smugglers off easy. “When you read the law, people don’t understand why you should punish someone just for a little tortoise,” he said. The courts seldom seem to see wildlife crime for what it is–a robbery from Madagascar, a crime against future generations. “It’s a matter of fostering a different culture in the justice system,” he said hopefully.
Soft-spoken and earnest, Raharijaona works out of a small home office a few blocks from Madagascar’s supreme court. Before working on environmental issues, he spent five.
The two sentences that best explain why judges use “their discretion” with smugglers are:
1. “When you read the law, people don’t understand why you should punish someone just for a little tortoise.”
2. “The courts seldom seem to see wildlife crime for what it is–a robbery from Madagascar, a crime against future generations.”
Explanation: The first sentence highlights the perception that the offense may not seem serious enough to warrant harsh punishment, while the second sentence emphasizes that the courts do not recognize the broader impact of wildlife crimes, indicating a lack of urgency in enforcing strict penalties.