Is Justice Really Blind?
English 101
Mr. Young
13 October 2012
Is Justice Really Blind?
The United States of America bases its whole judicial system around “blind justice” but is justice always blind? Since day one, justice has been portrayed as impartial. Ronald Nikkel says the U.S judicial system is represented by an elegant lady holding a set of scales in one hand and a sword in her other, while wearing a blindfold. She carries the balances symbolizing fairness and the sword symbolizing power and authority, and she wears the blindfold, symbolizing objective justice for all people, without preference or discrimination, regardless of identity, wealth, power, social status, position, or circumstances (“Justice is not Blind”). However, is this always the case? In countless cases, the verdict does not seem as if Lady Justice is truly blind. No matter what is said, trial by jury has its flaws. The article “Justice is Not Blind” says, “It is not only the accused who can be wrongfully treated by the justice system; victims also suffer the consequence of injustice when wealthy offenders with powerful connections simply get a slap on the wrist instead of being held responsible to face the consequences of their crimes” (Nikkel). Flaws in the jury system affect everyone. The judicial system needs to reformed, society has evolved over time, yet the judicial process has not kept up. Justice needs to be done without bias, where fairness is not just a forensic technicality and where consideration is the same for all persons regardless of race, religion, creed, or social standing (Nikkel). The most infamous example of our corrupt judicial system is the trial of Orenthal James Simpson also known as O.J. Simpson. The O.J. Simpson murder trial is one of the most controversial court cases in the last decade. In 1995 O.J. Simpson was put on trial for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and her male friend Richard Goldman. From the outside looking in many people thought O.J. Simpson
Mr. Young
13 October 2012
Is Justice Really Blind?
The United States of America bases its whole judicial system around “blind justice” but is justice always blind? Since day one, justice has been portrayed as impartial. Ronald Nikkel says the U.S judicial system is represented by an elegant lady holding a set of scales in one hand and a sword in her other, while wearing a blindfold. She carries the balances symbolizing fairness and the sword symbolizing power and authority, and she wears the blindfold, symbolizing objective justice for all people, without preference or discrimination, regardless of identity, wealth, power, social status, position, or circumstances (“Justice is not Blind”). However, is this always the case? In countless cases, the verdict does not seem as if Lady Justice is truly blind. No matter what is said, trial by jury has its flaws. The article “Justice is Not Blind” says, “It is not only the accused who can be wrongfully treated by the justice system; victims also suffer the consequence of injustice when wealthy offenders with powerful connections simply get a slap on the wrist instead of being held responsible to face the consequences of their crimes” (Nikkel). Flaws in the jury system affect everyone. The judicial system needs to reformed, society has evolved over time, yet the judicial process has not kept up. Justice needs to be done without bias, where fairness is not just a forensic technicality and where consideration is the same for all persons regardless of race, religion, creed, or social standing (Nikkel). The most infamous example of our corrupt judicial system is the trial of Orenthal James Simpson also known as O.J. Simpson. The O.J. Simpson murder trial is one of the most controversial court cases in the last decade. In 1995 O.J. Simpson was put on trial for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and her male friend Richard Goldman. From the outside looking in many people thought O.J. Simpson