Reflect critically on the strengths and weaknesses of this module’s readings in regards to lawmaking and criminal prosecution. Include your view on the ideas put forth in the lecture materials.3 pages

Chapters 8 and 9 from Barak, Leighton, and Cotton (2018) was how much power and politics shape the laws we follow. I always thought laws were made to keep people safe and stop crime, but now I see that many laws are influenced by people in power who want to protect their own interests. For instance, even when behavior is identical across groups, certain drug and police laws have targeted minority and poor communities far more severely than others (Mauer & Cole, 2015). It causes me to wonder if the goal of the judicial system is actually justice or if it is only power and control.

Another thing that stood out to me was how much power prosecutors have. They decide which cases move forward, what charges people face, and whether someone gets a plea deal. That means two people could commit the same crime but end up with very different outcomes just because of a prosecutor’s decision. That kind of power can lead to unfairness and bias, even if it’s not intentional (Barak et al., 2018).

From these readings, I learned that the justice system isn’t neutral like I once believed. Going forward, I will question who benefits from certain laws and think more critically about how justice is applied. One question I still have is: what changes could actually make the system fairer for everyone, no matter their race or income?

References

Barak, G., Leighton, P., & Cotton, A. (2018). Class, race, gender, and crime: The social realities of justice in America(5th ed.). Rowman & Littlefield.

Mauer, M., & Cole, D. (2015). The meaning of life: The case for abolishing life sentences. The New Press.

https://www.mediafire.com/file/72q5ga1hkhqiqe3/BarakGreggLeigh_2010_Chapter09.LawEnforcem_ClassRaceGenderandCri.pdf/file

https://www.mediafire.com/file/fx8lfr7gvx81u0x/Chapter_8.pdf/file