What Is Justice?
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Reflecting on Justice
The word “Justice” is often misconceived as a drawn line defining what’s right and what’s wrong. Its definition is sometimes perceived as a black and white issue, where no grey area exists. To me, however, this extensive word is based on a moral principle which is then utilized to determine righteous conduct. This moral concept is sometimes controversial. One’s belief may be different than another. Thus allowing, as the previously referred to: “the grey area.” Based on who makes the judgment, the outcome may be entirely different. Whereas one justice official may set a man free, another may imprison him for a duration of time.
A moral principle, such as murder for example, is said to be illegal and punishable by imprisonment or even consequential lethal injection. This notion is the definition of justice, but the question of more controversial topics such as past cases in Brown vs. Board of Education regarding segregation: an African-American’s right to attend a public school was not a written law, rather was based on the justice’s moral ruling. Although today it may seem like a cut and clear debate; in 1954 it was a strongly argued topic.
The proper penalty for a law transient criminal is the case in point. United States democracy is based on an “innocent until proven guilty” stance. Unless there is irrefutable evidence proving that a person is guilty, then they are considered innocent. A jury must decide unanimously on one side or another—guilty or not guilty. In other cases a judge or judges makes the decision on a person’s innocence. I think this is a valid and well established system. It’s best not to put a person away for a crime they didn’t commit then let a guilty criminal go free. Although both have their related consequences, no person should ever be punished for a crime they didn’t commit. Unfortunately there are hundreds upon thousands of criminals that are loose and have fled criminal prosecution because they were never caught or were not proven guilty. In some cases they are caught committing another illegal act, and in others they never commit another illegal act at all. In my mind, we will all be judged in the end, so no criminal is ever unpunished.
As a professional in the field of criminal justice, it is my job to serve the initial determination of right and wrong. Many laws have been made regarding what is considered legal and illegal, however new scenarios arise frequently.