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In what ways can the criminal justice system improve to ensure that all defendants receive a fair trial?

Blaise Le

The criminal justice system is foundational to the functioning of civil society. It ensures that justice is served so that the innocent are not punished while the guilty are held accountable for their actions. However, the criminal justice system is not without flaws and needs to be improved to ensure that all defendants receive a fair trial.

Firstly, the criminal justice system should prioritize and implement measures that promote impartiality in the courtroom. For instance, courtrooms should be equipped with stringent security measures to prevent any form of intimidation or influence of the judge or jury. Judges, lawyers, and law enforcement officials should undergo rigorous, impartial, and extensive training to prevent bias in decision-making.

Secondly, the credibility of the system has to be enhanced. This involves ensuring that law enforcement officials conduct proper investigations, evidence gathering, and analysis. The courts should also step up their efforts to avoid wrongful convictions by assuring that forensic technology is applied correctly. The application of DNA, ballistic, and other types of forensic evidence must be transparent and clear. The use of modern technology, such as machine learning algorithms, can help reduce biases and facilitate a transparent and fact-based approach.

Thirdly, the criminal justice system should establish more robust methods to prevent prejudice and discrimination from creeping into the trial process. This can be achieved by punishing attorneys who deliberately use discriminatory practices during jury selection or fail to disclose vital evidence necessary to the defense. Furthermore, judges must hold police officers accountable for violating the rights of suspects, and prosecutors who engage in inappropriate tactics during trial proceedings must be punished.

Fourthly, the criminal justice system needs to recognize the importance of mental health and its effects on behavior and decision-making. Addressing the mental health of defendants should be a priority to facilitate a fair trial. This means that the system should find ways to identify and mitigate mental health issues pre-trial. Such mitigation could include providing proper medication and therapy to individuals with mental health conditions. Furthermore, it will entail training the legal and law enforcement community to interact properly with individuals with mental health issues to ensure that they are properly processed through the legal system.

In conclusion, the criminal justice system is an essential pillar of any functioning society. However, it has to be improved to ensure that all defendants receive a fair trial. By promoting impartiality, enhancing credibility, preventing discrimination, and recognizing the importance of mental health, the criminal justice system can become more robust and effective. These changes will go a long way in ensuring that justice is served and that individuals' rights are protected.