Background info
My Opinion
Justice. Hmm..I don't think that's a word courts of Australia know the meaning of. Justice would mean that people get handed the sentence they deserve, a sentence befitting the crime they have committed. And justice would mean a person would actually serve the time for the crime they committed.
Justice ~
1) the quality of being just, impartial, or fair
2) the principle or ideal of just dealing or right action
Just ~
1) having a basis in or conforming to fact or reason
2) acting or being in conformity with what is morally upright or good
NOTE// Definitions taken from: Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Justice, to me, would mean death if you murder someone.. a long jail term for rape.. paying back what is stolen if burglary is committed.. rebuilding a place that uis burnt down through arson. That is justice. Justice is repaying your debt to society so that the punishment reflects the crime.
Murder is murder. Rape is rape. A crime is a crime. A plea of insanity is not a means of defense. Saying sorry does not make up for committing a crime. Jail does not make up for taking a person's life.
In court, a 10 year sentence means anything less than 10 years. A life sentence doesn't mean life imprisonment, it means a maximum of 25 years with the probability of being out even sooner than that. Justice is serving out a 10 year sentence. Justice is serving out a life sentence of 25 years......although personally I think a life sentence should mean the death penalty, or you stay in prison until you die.
I'm 17 years old and I don't have faith in the Australian justice system. I've never been a victim of crime and I don't have faith. Ha, imagine my feelings if, and when, I do become a victim. :\
I watch the news. I listen to the radio. I read the newspaper. I don't think I've ever seen a decision handed down which can be considered 'just'. You can get a longer jail sentence for robbery or dealing in drugs than you can for murder. Where is the justice in that?!
The punishment needs to fit the crime committed. Until this happens, our justice system cannot be considered fair. The law and justice systems should be in place to help to make things right for victims and their families after a crime is committed and to help them find justice and closure. Instead, it seems to be in place to protect the criminals - people who lose all right to protection and freedom the minute they commit a crime.
Written: 8/12/01
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