Fewer Court Cases for Drugs and Guns

May 11, 2026, 17:36
USPolitics

Introduction

The government now focuses more on immigration. Because of this, they have fewer court cases for drugs and guns.

Main Body

The government moved workers to help with immigration. Now, there are fewer criminal cases. Last year, there were 77 cases for guns and drugs. This year, there are only 8 cases. Many lawyers left their jobs in Minnesota. Now, the offices have fewer people. Some cases stopped because the lawyers missed the dates. Other big cases went to state courts instead of federal courts. Some people are worried. Mary Moriarty says this is dangerous for the public. But the Department of Justice says they can still do their work well.

Conclusion

There are fewer big criminal cases because the government changed its plan and lost many workers.

Learning

📉 Talking about 'Less'

In this text, we see the word fewer. This is a very useful word for A2 students to describe a smaller number of things.

The Rule: Use fewer when you can count the things (1, 2, 3...).

  • 77 cases →\rightarrow 8 cases (fewer cases)
  • Many workers →\rightarrow some workers (fewer workers)

Comparison Guide:

  • Many people →\rightarrow Fewer people (Correct ✅)
  • Much time →\rightarrow Less time (Correct ✅)

🕰ī¸ Now vs. Then

Notice how the writer moves between the past and the present to show change:

TimeSentence FragmentWord to Watch
Past"Last year, there were 77 cases"Were (Past)
Present"This year, there are only 8 cases"Are (Present)

Tip: When you want to show a change in your life, use this pattern: Last year I was... Now I am...

Vocabulary Learning

government (n.)
The group of people who run a country.
Example:The government announced new rules about immigration.
court (n.)
A place where judges hear cases.
Example:The case was taken to a higher court.
cases (n.)
Legal matters or situations.
Example:The lawyer handled many cases.
immigration (n.)
The process of people moving to a new country.
Example:Immigration laws have changed recently.
workers (n.)
People who do jobs.
Example:Workers help with the new immigration program.
criminal (adj.)
Related to crime.
Example:The criminal cases were reduced.
lawyers (n.)
People who practice law.
Example:Lawyers left their jobs in Minnesota.
offices (n.)
Places where people work.
Example:The offices were less busy after the change.
public (adj.)
Relating to all people.
Example:The public was worried about safety.
department (n.)
A part of a government that handles a specific area.
Example:The Department of Justice was involved.
justice (n.)
The fair system of law.
Example:The Department of Justice works to keep justice.
plan (n.)
A set of ideas to achieve something.
Example:The government changed its plan.
lost (v.)
No longer have.
Example:They lost many workers after the shift.
help (v.)
To give support.
Example:The workers help with immigration.
focus (v.)
To concentrate on something.
Example:The government focuses more on immigration.
dangerous (adj.)
Likely to cause harm.
Example:The situation is dangerous for the public.
year (n.)
A period of 12 months.
Example:Last year, there were many cases.
last (adj.)
Happening before now.
Example:Last year, there were many cases.
only (adv.)
No more than.
Example:This year, there are only eight cases.
many (adj.)
A large number.
Example:Many lawyers left their jobs.
big (adj.)
Large in size or importance.
Example:There are fewer big criminal cases.
state (adj.)
Relating to a country within a union.
Example:The cases went to state courts.
federal (adj.)
Relating to the national government.
Example:Some cases went to federal courts.
fewer (adj.)
Less in number.
Example:There are fewer court cases for drugs.
now (adv.)
At this time.
Example:The government now focuses more on immigration.
more (adv.)
Greater amount.
Example:The government focuses more on immigration.
because (conj.)
Because of the reason.
Example:They have fewer cases because of the new policy.
moved (v.)
Shifted from one place to another.
Example:The government moved workers to help.
left (v.)
Departed from a place.
Example:Many lawyers left their jobs.
missed (v.)
Did not attend or meet.
Example:The lawyers missed the dates.
stopped (v.)
Ceased to happen.
Example:Some cases stopped because the lawyers missed the dates.
changed (v.)
Became different.
Example:The government changed its plan.