Our Justice System

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Last weekend I had a discussion with my cousin about punishment for criminals. I've not only studied law but have worked in the legal field and I think that the older I get, the less in favour I am of punishment as a means of rehabilitation. I think our justice system has its share of faults but I also believe that it is the best one we could have in a free, democratic society. Some of its faults are why I am glad we do not have the death penalty. I am a big fan of Court TV and really enjoy watching the trials but I do have to wonder about the penalties that are handed out. I think that most crimes (as the statistics show) are committed on people who know their attackers, whether it is murder, rape, assault, etc. I'm not sure how effective punishment as a means of rehabilitation works for most crimes. Take for example, a case of a woman who murders her abusive husband. It is not likely that she will murder again because she may never again be in that same situation that lead her to murder in the first place. I know some may argue that if the penalty is not stiff enough it may give license to do it again or for others to do it, but I am not talking about penalties as a deterrent, (which I think do work). We have several high profile wrongful convictions in Canada along with several deserved punishments and I am certain not one despite the servere penalties, has made any one second guess. Most serious violent crimes are crimes of passion, spur of the moment and no amount of rehabilitation or deterrence would prevent them.