We all have different ways of interpreting, translating, and perceiving ideas, concepts, and situations, which makes it difficult for us to trust anybody including the criminal justice system. We believe that the criminal justice system has the answer to everything relating to crime, but do we really trust them? Does the criminal justice system perform to the full extent of the real meaning of the word “justice”?
Usually, when I am sitting in court listening to the cases, most of which are drug use, I have always asked myself how does the judge know what decision to make or whose side to take. I have seen some defendants, charged with the same offense, being released on ROR (Release on own recognizance), bail, or ACD (Adjourned contemplating dismal). ACD is when the defendant is released with the condition that he/she does not commit another offense within 6 months and their case is dismissed. Before anything, the judge learns about the defendant’s case, but the judge only gets a quick overview of why he/she got arrested. The judge does not know the needy details of the incident, and therefore she would be basically making a decision based on the police officer’s point of view. In my point of view, this is not fair or justifiable because the judge does not know exactly what went on. What if the cop maybe slipped a bag of weed into the defendant’s pocket or book bag just to fulfill his/her duty for the day? Or what if one of his friends tried to get rid of their bag of weed by hiding it in their back bag? There could be so many perspectives, but which one do we believe. It is like we are caught up between the wall and the sword not knowing whose side to take. I wonder since we all have different perspectives on certain issues does the side we choose to believe, is it in any way affected by our culture, values, morals, or traditions?
