Law
Topic:
US Legal Systems
I would like you to examine a trial from 1931 that brings up many of the issues we face through American history. It is not pretty and has some foul language but it realistically shows how the law enforcement officers acted, how societial bias and prejudices influenced the legal process, the role of politics intersecting with the legal system, the steps in a criminal trial and how individuals in the system made a difference. Note the actions of the public in this case.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp9R648zfkI
and watch
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/retired-supreme-court-justice-stevens-amend-constitution
After viewing both films please give your reactions to both. Discuss.
Do you see similarities in today’s events with the historical events?
Has the legal system progressed, regressed or stayed the same?
What about the role of law enforcement? Did the Sheriff do the right thing? Was the use of the National Guard correct? Contrast this with today’s events.
Are there Constitutional Amendments that you support? How should we go about changing both the Constitution and laws to address issues.
How do you see your role in a future legal career impacting the system? Can individuals make a difference?
Conclusion: Is our legal system enduring the test of time? Please comment.
The United States Legal Systems: A Consideration of the Past and Modern
As illustrated in the video, racism was a prevalent issue in the past United States legal systems; that is why nine African-American teenagers would be accused of rape by two women, get convicted, and sentenced to prison without any evidence to prove their guilt. Unfortunately, racism is still prevalent in the country’s modern legal systems through differential sentencing where the minority Blacks get sentenced more time compared to the majority-white race despite the offenders committing the same crime. This happens despite the Constitution granting all citizens Equal protection rights stipulated in the 14th Amendment.
It is important to note that the country’s legal system has progressed from the immense brutality that was showcased towards minority groups in the past. However, fighting racism is still a monumental task, as patterns of social inequalities are still evident. Law enforcement officers are required to ensure public safety for everyone, including conducting a due process to ensure that anyone accused of a crime is proven to be guilty. However, the Sheriff did not do the right thing involving the National Guard and should have used their resources to determine the accused’s guilt.
Currently, the Equal Protection and the Due Process Clauses outline significant rights that each American, regardless of their race, is to enjoy. These rights stipulate that an accused needs not to be deprived of life, liberty, or0 property without receiving the due process. The equal protection rights encompass all states should not deny any individual within their jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. These two laws are enough to ensure everyone is treated; equally the only challenge lies in their enforcement. The right measures need to be implemented to ensure all stakeholders within the legal systems conduct themselves in line with upholding equal rights to everyone.
As an individual with a future legal career, I plan to carry out operations by respecting all individuals despite their differences. Working as a team within one’s departments should prompt us to share important information on treating everyone equally and ensuring everyone is doing the same.
Conclusively, our legal system is enduring the test of time because the question of whether it has handled systemic racism still lingers on despite the progress in the society and constitutional laws.
References
Groovieloo: A Strict No Coon Zone. (2020). Scottsboro: An American Tragedy [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=412&v=cp9R648zfkI&feature=emb_logo
PBS News Hour. (2014, April 21). How retired Supreme Court justice Stevens would amend the Constitution. Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/retired-supreme-court-justice-stevens-amend-constitution
