Vick to Potentially Serve No Jail Time?

Just recently, it was made known that Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick will fully cooperate with all authorities in regard to dogfighting. What does that translate to? Snitching and lots of it. I read a column today stating that if Vick can give enough reliable information, he may not have to serve any jail time.

I have very mixed feelings on this. I've been a long-time critic of the drug war, for multiple reasons. One is the fact that many times, a person will be arrested on a drug offense and through a chain reaction of snitching, the information that started with he will lead to the drug king the authorities sought and he will wind up serving more time than a person arrested on a murder charge.

I guess the true question that should be asked is, what's more beneficial to the government and society as a whole? Ten people imprisoned for a year or two not well-known in the drug world or one drug king imprisoned for several years? This is where I think we run around in circles in the drug war. While it may appear to be more beneficial with the latter as opposed to the former option, dealing drugs isn't rocket science. If one major drug dealer gets sent to prison, someone will replace him. Where there is money that can be made, sheep will follow and no matter how illegal the operation may be, money can be made with illegal drugs. So, regardless of how many big-time drug dealers are sent away to prison, there will be others to step foot where they once were when they are punished.

Can the underground dogfighting ring be seen as different than the drug war? Possibly. From what I know (which isn't much), dogfighting is not as prevalent across the country as drug dealing, so perhaps Vick outing one dogfighting ringleader would be more beneficial than the outing of one major drug dealer. But, the fact remains that Vick violated the law, pleaded guilty, and should be punished. If he provides a tremendous amount of helpful information to the government, should he have his sentence reduced or even expunged altogether? That is where I run into problems. While Vick's information may be very beneficial to the authorities and society as a whole, will he truly have learned his lesson with just getting off on probation and a fine after committing an illegal act? That's the question I'd have if he were to have his sentenced reduced to a great extent.