What Does Justice Look Like Phillips 2
What Does Justice Look Like
The two individuals’ perspectives I chose to look at were the judge and the defendant, Adam.
These two people hold very different understandings of the events leading up to the case and the
perspective of justice for this crime. It was noted that the Judge was already aware of Adam's
prior arrests and did grant him the opportunity for bail but chose an amount that was out of
Adam’s means to pay. More than fifty percent of prisoners are arrested within a year of their
release (Drawve, 2019). As a judge who experiences the repercussions and consequences of
crimes like this every day, it is hard to be lenient when the possibility of reoffending is so high.
In order for justice to be faced, the judge would need Adam to be convicted of attempted
robbery. The conviction of armed robbery versus just robbery would be a topic of debate due to
the implications that Adam had a gun and his verbal claims during the robbery but later said
there was never a gun because he has never owned one. This aspect of conviction I believe the
judge would be lenient due to Adam’s history of having no prior crimes that were threatening to
the community and his inability to pay the already acquired debt from court cases. Overall, the
judge would still fight for a conviction of robbery to try and teach Adam a lesson that will stick
and hope once he realizes there will be no further convictions.
Adam’s idea of justice would vary from the judge because he lived firsthand with the
circumstances that led to the robbery. Already low on money and with a family to feed, Adam
was unable to get a job because of his prior convictions and suspended license due to court fees.
This creates a cycle of debt continuing to grow interest, but job opportunities. Due to the
unstable home life and lack of money, Adam’s children are struggling to comprehend the idea of
education and the oldest child has already created a reputation with law enforcement. While a
broken man, Adam does seem to be reasonable. He would understand that his actions have
What Does Justice Look Like Phillips 3
consequences but would hope to mediate the repercussions for his family. The ideal form of
justice for Adam would be the minimum amount of jail time for his crimes and the ability to
serve community service to make up for his acquired debt. If Adam can work off the debt, he is
in then he can get his license back and get a real job to support his family. Luke 17:3-4 says “Pay
attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he
sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must
forgive him”. This verse is important because Adam has prior offenses, but if he is apologetic
and wants to repent for his actions he should be forgiven, but still face consequences.
If the judge and Adam were to get together to discuss what each of them felt was the right source
of justice in this case, I don’t think it would be too hard to come to an agreement. While the
judge is searching for justice to keep true to the law and other citizens, he also wants to make
Adam’s life better. This can be done by teaching Adam there are consequences for his actions,
but working together to create a rehabilitation program after his jail time is over can improve not
only Adam’s life but his family. Working community service to pay back his debt or getting a job
in prison to pay back the money. Both parties understand that justice needs to be served, but the
severity and circumstances surrounding the justice vary depending on whose perspective is being
evaluated.
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References
Drawve, G., Caplan, J., & Ostermann, M. (2019). Utilizing a Risk of Crime Measure for
Recidivism Research: Moving Environmental Corrections Forward. Crime & Delinquency,
65(5), 606-629. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128718779359
Dobbie, W., Goldin, J., & Yang, C. (2016). The Effects of Pre-Trial Detention on Convictions,
Future Crimes, and Employment: Evidence from Randomly Assigned Judges.
doi:10.3386/w22511
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV Online. https://esv.literalword.com/
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