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Are there inherent biases in the justice system and how can they be addressed?

Stormy Knutsen

As a user of social media, I strongly believe that there are inherent biases in the justice system, and it’s crucial that we address them substantively. The justice system is meant to be impartial and unbiased; however, it’s evident that certain factors, such as race, gender, and socio-economic status, have a significant impact on the outcome of court cases.

In the United States, the justice system has long been criticized for being discriminatory towards minority communities. According to the Sentencing Project, one in every three black boys born today can expect to be sentenced to prison, compared to one in every six Latino boys and one in every seventeen white boys. This staggering statistic points towards the inherent bias that exists in the system.

Moreover, implicit biases play a significant role in the decision-making process of judges, attorneys, and juries. Implicit biases refer to the beliefs and attitudes that impact our decision-making unconsciously, and studies have shown that they can heavily influence legal decisions. For example, a study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the race of the defendant had a significant impact on the length of sentences.

To address these inherent biases, it's essential that the justice system implements policies and procedures that combat these biases explicitly. One solution could be to provide training for judges, attorneys, and juries to recognize and address implicit biases. This training could help them become more aware of how their biases might influence their decision-making and equip them with strategies to mitigate these biases.

Another possible solution is to diversify the legal profession at all levels. More diversity among judges, attorneys, and juries will create a more representative pool of decision-makers and potentially reduce the impact of implicit biases.

Finally, the justice system should implement more objective measures for assessing and determining sentences. For example, instead of relying on a judge's discretion, guidelines could be set in place for determining sentences based on specific factors to prevent implicit biases from playing a role in sentencing.

Overall, there's no quick fix to address the inherent biases in the justice system. However, it's crucial that we continue to work towards creating a system that's impartial and treats everyone equally, regardless of their race, gender, or socio-economic status. By implementing these solutions, we can take a significant step towards creating a fairer and more just society.