Our Criminal Justice System Is Broken

Jon Alverez
10/02/2003

Are you of the opinion that the criminal justice system in America is working adequately? If so, then you are most certainly in the minority on this issue. Most Americans are troubled by the fact that criminals are treated far better than their victims. It's time to demand changes with regards to the entire process of trying, punishing, and housing criminals. The simple fact of the matter is that we have allowed our system to be abused by criminals and their lawyers. The scales of justice have been tipped in their favor and we're paying for it in several ways. From both a moral and fiscal perspective, the criminal justice system in America is not working adequately and needs to be addressed. 

How much of a burden has the criminal justice system become on our society? With Congress balking at the proposed $87 Billion President Bush is seeking for the war on terror in Iraq, you would think there would be more of an outcry over the estimated $146 BILLION we spend annually on the criminal justice system.* Americans from all walks of life are overburdened with taxes and we need to examine ways to reduce that burden. One method would be to reduce the time period allowed for taking a case to trial. How much taxpayer money is spent on lengthy criminal trials? How many lawyers have enriched themselves at the public trough? Here we are on the one-year anniversary of the arrest of the DC snipers and they have still not faced trial. There is something seriously wrong with this picture. This is just one example where criminals should be taken to trial in a&nbs! p;more timelier manner. The fact that we could all cite numerous examples of this abuse highlights the need for such change. 

Something is terribly wrong in our society when sadistic murderers are afforded years to live after their conviction. This is certainly a luxury not afforded to their victims. Why have we created a situation where trials are carried out according to law, sentences are imposed, then it takes up to fifteen years, if ever, before a death sentence is carried out? It makes much more sense that once a suspect is found guilty and sentenced to death, allow for only one appeal. If the appeal fails to overturn the conviction, then carry out the sentence swiftly and justly. There is no need for our tax dollars to pay to support these violent criminals any longer than necessary. Their continued existence serves no social purpose; we should be realistic about this.

What should we do with repeat offenders, those unwilling to abide by the rules of our society? Society should allow for only three strikes with regard to felony crimes. Once this threshold is reached, thus proving an inability to mend their ways, they should be banished from the country. Does it make sense for us to house these misfits and pariahs at the expense of the public taxpayer? One solution would be to banish them to Mexico. The Mexican government has proven that it is unwilling to guard its border with the United States, so why not let them have a taste of what they have been serving us for years? Seal the borders with high-security fencing and guards and shoot those trying to enter our country illegally. Wouldn't the opportunity to make a new life in Mexico be more humane than being incarcerated for life behind bars? If the Mexican government decides to find a! way to police its border, then why not ship these people to lovely Afghanistan or Northern Iraq? 

Surely my suggestions will elicit sharp rebuke from social libertarians. However, it cannot be disputed that the current situation must not be allowed to continue unchallenged. Expenditures far outpace the rate of inflation, while reality confirms that what we are paying for is simply not working. Some criminals can be reformed and lead productive lives. However, the high rate of recidivism amongst the criminal population, with some figures estimated to be anywhere from 33% up to 70%, can no longer be ignored. We must find a solution to this very expensive problem. The citizens of America make the rules; if President Bush is able to call for malpractice award limits, we can do something about this. While admittedly harsh, it's time for Americans to realize that change is needed. It's time to stop the coddling of murderers, rapists, and other social m! isfits. We've done it the liberals' way for far too long and it's not working. 

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*References: 

In fiscal 1999 Federal, State, and local governments spent over $146 billion for civil and criminal justice, an 8% increase over 1998. State and local governments combined spent 85% of all direct justice dollars.
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/eande.htm 

Jon Alvarez 
Syracuse, NY 
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