Circuit Judge Kirk Johnson had a case Tuesday in which five young men pleaded guilty to several felonies in connection with a theft ring that stole from cars and residences in the Sugar Hill area of Texarkana, north of Interstate 30.

The men range in age from 18 to 20. Some were just 17 when they committed the crimes.

The charges could have meant more than 40 years in prison for each defendant. And we suspect there are a good many residents who would have been happy to see them sent off to do time.

But these were first offenders—at least it was their first t...