Star high school athletes may receive special treatment from their teachers, but when this extends to the justice system, it becomes clear that our values need some reconsideration.

Waylon Meyer, a Hudson High School basketball player accused of second-degree sexual assault in December 2002, has had his plea date repeatedly moved back so he could finish out this year’s season.

According to a Leader-Telegram article published Jan. 22, Meyer is expected to plead guilty to two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, which would cause him to be removed from the team and thus not be seen by college recruiters.

In a letter to Polk County Judge Robert Rasmussen, Meyer’s mother wrote, “With a plea in January, we will be punishing Waylon in an ongoing way that does not seem commensurate with the alleged crime. It is in everyone’s best interest to help Waylon succeed and become a healthy, well-adjusted adult by allowing him to continue to do what he excels at.”

It is not in everyone’s best interest to rearrange the judicial system so Meyer can attract college recruiters and land a scholarship.

If he were an average kid, the plea date would have come and gone long ago, but because he is an excellent athlete, exceptions are being made.

This sets a bad example, both for Meyer and for younger students who look up to athletes. High school should be about learning how to interact with others, and the lesson being taught with Meyer is that you get special treatment if you’re good at sports.

More important than this is the alleged victim, who seems to have taken a back seat to Meyer’s possible future in playing basketball. She deserves closure and should not have to suffer more. The complaint was filed over a year ago, and should have been resolved by now.

To let justice take second place to a possible scholarship is not only unfair to the alleged victim, but it sets a dangerous precedent.