When America's Justice System Creates Unjust Results | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

People Live Their Lives Every Day Unaware They Could Become The Next Victim Of Injustice

A look at prisoners versus the justice system.

362
People Live Their Lives Every Day Unaware They Could Become The Next Victim Of Injustice

There was a time in history when the accused weren't appointed free legal counsel. That would eventually change due to the Gideon v. Wainwright case and the establishment of the Sixth Amendment.

I considered this to be a sacred constitutional right American citizens, but individuals within the justice system have found ways to disrupt the progression of our country's judicial system.

On September 1, 2008, an African American man by the name of Adrian P. Thompson was falsely accused of the death of his four-month-old and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. It took him twice to appeal his conviction based on a coercive investigation for the court to grant him a fair trial, absent of the false confession.

His counsel was obligated by the constitution to be of effective assistance, which wasn't the case for Mr. Thompson. If it wasn't for two directors who were disturbed by his videotaped confession, he would be sitting behind bars right now for a crime he never committed. It's almost 2019, yet these predicaments are surfacing in a country where the constitution promises equality to every citizen.

More cases like Thompson's will emerge in the following years.

We are in an era now where victims are speaking out and exposing things that have been ignored for the past decades. Some may categorize prisoners as criminals, but how many of them are casualties of a broken justice system?

Thousands of inmates that were convicted in mid-1900s never experienced a requisite trial because of the underfunded public defense as well as discrimination in the criminal court. The justice system has spun itself in a web of lies and manipulation.

Take the oldest inmate in a prison and compare him to the youngest prisoner. There's high chance both are victims of harsh sentencing or in prison for crimes they never committed. An ex-prisoner once said the U.S. criminal justice system exploits the war on drugs as a modern technique to repress minorities under the sanctions of the "law".

People overlook the reality that many prisoners are uneducated and misinformed on their rights to appeal a conviction.

Corrupt police officers become agent provocateurs and confuse subjects into falsely incriminating themselves. Fortunately, these type of people blinded by power are being reprimanded.

This month a Baltimore Officer, Richard Pinheiro Jr. was suspended for six months without pay. He purposefully turned off his body camera and planted drugs at a scene. The drug charges were dropped against the accused Baltimore man, but you can say he's lucky another sheriff was brave enough to expose another officer's nefarious ways.

This country is focused on prison reform, but we're forgetting the judicial system is far more corrupted.

A father with no criminal records was caught selling drugs while in possession of a firearm received a 55-year prison sentence. Most murderers only receive a 15-year sentence. It's an example of how discombobulated the system has become. The scales aren't balanced and it has strayed far from the principles our constitution was founded on.

Our constitution is being broken because defendants/prisoners aren't receiving their constitutional rights.

Congress in the process of passing a bill before the end of the year to lessen the harshness of criminal justice sentencing. Both the Democratic and Republican parties believe the bill, but Senator Tom Cotton opposes. He expressed his concerns for the public safety.

Another example, to me, of a prejudiced man whose mind is clouded by bigotry.

Prison reform should be a major concern for everyone because if the justice system unjustly persecuted those of everyday people, what's to stop them from making you the next victim?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

3013
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

449527
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

21686
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

44704
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments