Is Melbourne Fair?
This week was justice week and we investigated Melbourne's justice system. Naturally, that brought into discussion whether or not we thought that Melbourne was fair.
The Melbourne justice system has definitely improved from 30 or so years ago and this is most likely because society is becoming more aware of issues that we people face in regards to the law.
It can still show injustices to minorities or people without wealth but in the economic system that we live in this has to be expected.
Earlier in the week we had a guest speaker from the university of Melbourne talk to us about why people commit crimes. she gave us 'good' examples (survival, for a loved one) and 'bad' examples (for fun, because you're bored). Learning why someone might commit a crime brings a new perspective into people's minds.
While in the courts we saw a case of a women who had failed to pay multiple parking tickets. Her lawyer argued that the defendant's boyfriend was the one driving the car and that she had been unable to work due to health problems. The judge spoke in a way that wasn't condescending and told her that as long as she could provide proof of her medical conditions then her case would look brighter. This is fair because anyone could say that they are unable to work due to medical reasons because it is difficult to argue so requesting proof is reasonable.
Like most things in this world having a lawyer costs money and for some, like the hundreds of homeless people living on Melbourne streets hiring a lawyer is completely out of the question. Because of this many people aren't fought for and go to jail for the simple crime of theft, this is definitely not fair. In our capitalist society, the rich thrive and the poor suffer. It's not always fair but it's the way things are.
The Melbourne justice system has definitely improved from 30 or so years ago and this is most likely because society is becoming more aware of issues that we people face in regards to the law.
It can still show injustices to minorities or people without wealth but in the economic system that we live in this has to be expected.
Earlier in the week we had a guest speaker from the university of Melbourne talk to us about why people commit crimes. she gave us 'good' examples (survival, for a loved one) and 'bad' examples (for fun, because you're bored). Learning why someone might commit a crime brings a new perspective into people's minds.
While in the courts we saw a case of a women who had failed to pay multiple parking tickets. Her lawyer argued that the defendant's boyfriend was the one driving the car and that she had been unable to work due to health problems. The judge spoke in a way that wasn't condescending and told her that as long as she could provide proof of her medical conditions then her case would look brighter. This is fair because anyone could say that they are unable to work due to medical reasons because it is difficult to argue so requesting proof is reasonable.
Like most things in this world having a lawyer costs money and for some, like the hundreds of homeless people living on Melbourne streets hiring a lawyer is completely out of the question. Because of this many people aren't fought for and go to jail for the simple crime of theft, this is definitely not fair. In our capitalist society, the rich thrive and the poor suffer. It's not always fair but it's the way things are.