Gebretsadik Hagos
Criminal Justice Reform
Upon reading the textbook and the information provided, I was able to learn a lot about
the ongoing issue of criminal justice reform. As we all know, the justice system that is currently
in place falls short of the ideal justice system. As it was discussed in the ted talks, the prosecutor
explained how the system is outdated and fails to get at the root of problems. The system aims to
treat the symptom rather than the cause. As explained in the textbook, the justice system has
started to change its treatment of the youth who get a first-hand encounter through school or
juvenile. The emphasis has now changed to offering guidance and counseling to those who need
it as early as possible. The other issue that seems to persist is how minor charges are faced with
maximum punishment. In the ted talk, Adam Ross, the prosecutor, urged everyone to vote for
prosecutors who care about serving justice rather than people who are out to make money. There
are many reasons why the issue of justice reform continues to be discussed until today, and the
main reason is that people have a vested interest in the corrupt and unjust system. Private prison
operators have long benefited from this, and the United States leads the world in the percentage
of its population that is incarcerated. Urgent reform is needed as outdated ruling systems have
cost millions of people their precious lives. The Brennan Center article points out how reform is
needed at the state level because state departments handle most minor crimes that we are all
likely to face.
Many reasons stood out to me as to why criminal justice reform is necessary. The main
reason is the power given to prosecutors regarding the plea deal. To have a fast and efficient
system, prosecutors often offer plea deals and make it hard to have a trial by jury, which I
believe violates the sixth amendment of the constitution that grants citizens the right to a jury
trial. These deals are often harmful to many citizens and can have lingering effects. They can
Gebretsadik Hagos
make it hard to get jobs and are often inconsiderate. The second issue is the harsh sentences that
are given for minor crimes. People are often reincarcerated for minor charges, and in many cases,
people can be sent back to prison for parole violations or missing a trial date. In my opinion,
there needs to be some personal understanding, so these issues do not persist. So, a reform to
minor crime sentencing will help reduce the prison population and not bar people from society
for making small mistakes. The other issue is the impersonality of the system. I understand why
there needs to be an objective law, but in my opinion, this hinders the system from providing a
true and just judgment. For me, justice is forgiving and does not make efforts to condemn at first
sight. Having a personal experience with the justice system myself, I can testify that when
individuals are shown forgiveness, it often changes them for the better. For example, the
prosecutor in the ted talk, Adam Foss, decided to help Christopher when he showed
understanding and compassion, which is the definition of true justice. In being able to do that, he
was able to stop a vicious cycle of criminal encounters with the justice system.
Concerning how state officials can help make changes, they can offer people their
constitutional right to a trial by jury and plea deals with the prosecutors without any adverse
effects on the individuals if they choose to forgo the plea deals. Most juries are citizens, so they
can put themselves in others' shoes, which I believe helps them make thoughtful decisions. For
minor crimes committed by citizens, the state should reform the system by removing harsh
sentences and offering programs that educate instead. This approach is effective and doesn't
cause any harm to individuals. Once these programs are completed, the state should forgive petty
crimes. For the systems' impersonality, there are many things that state officials can do to bring
some sense of subjectivity. First and foremost, citizens should elect prosecutors who are out to
make a difference and positively impact society rather than people who only want to make
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money. Aside from that, courts or legislature should offer tests and background checks on the
prosecutors they hire to see if these individuals are worthy enough to hold such positions. The
system should also offer assistance to those who need it rather than sentencing them to jail. In
general, elected officials that care for justice and people are needed, and only they can give truth
and life to a stagnant and objective system.
Anyone looking to help bring justice reform must first be educated, including me. The
other and most important way for me to make a change is by participating in elections. It doesn't
only have to be in electing a prosecutor; it may also be in helping elect a state or federal official
who is concerned about the issue and willing to make it their priority. I also plan to help by
educating individuals on the issue so they can, in turn, inform many others. Once we understand
the problem as a collective and are united in our efforts to make a difference, these changes will
follow simultaneously. These issues associated with criminal justice need to change now, and as
a citizen of the country, I plan to play my part in helping make this change happen.
Gebretsadik Hagos
References
133. (2021, February 24). Criminal Justice Reform at the State level. Brennan Center for Justice.
Retrieved November 24, 2021, from https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/researchreports/criminal-justice-reform-state-level.
A prosecutor's vision for a better justice system. (n.d.). TED. Retrieved November 24, 2021,
from
https://www.ted.com/talks/adam_foss_a_prosecutor_s_vision_for_a_better_justice_system.
Mora, S. (2017). Chapter 12, The Criminal Justice System In Texas. In State of Texas:
Government, politics, and policy (Third, pp. 365–399). essay, Mcgraw-Hill Education.