Reflection Exercise Assignment 2
Reflection Exercise Assignment
With the rising use of social media and the new developments in technology, police
officers are equipped with body cameras, and they also have dash cameras installed in their
vehicles. The cameras are meant to help promote the safety and professionalism of the officers,
but they also raise concerns that they are more harmful than helpful. “This concern is particularly
palpable for victims of crimes whose contact with police may have been recorded. Concern over
such footage being made public may cause victims to be unwilling to discuss their victimization
with an officer who is wearing a3BWC” (Neubauer and Fradella). The public is afraid that if they
are being recorded, then it can be used against them, and then they don’t want to say what really
happened in that certain situation. “The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying
tongue is but for a moment” (Proverbs 12:19).
On the other hand, body and dash cameras have proven to be beneficial by recording
interactions between officers and the public and providing footage of accidents. The footage
from the cameras helps reduce the confusion about which story to believe and who is telling the
truth. Social media has also altered the way that the public views law enforcement officers. The
News usually focuses on officer-involved shootings, where it’s a Caucasian officer and a
minority victim. When the media covers this, they don’t always provide the whole story, which
leads to law enforcement being viewed negatively by the public. When this happens, society
tends to think that officers are all bad and that they aren’t helpful. This negativity puts officers'
safety at risk. Although they can provide helpful and valuable evidence, they also can negatively
impact the safety and professionalism of law enforcement.
Reflection Exercise Assignment 3
The legal principles found in the Bible for seeking justice against the accused and the
victim are incorporated and both neglected in the criminal justice system today. In America,
everyone is entitled to legal representation regardless of their social status or background. In the
Old Testament, Deuteronomy 1:17 says, “Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall
hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is
God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.” This quote
would be seeking justice for the accused because it recognizes the importance that justice should
be available to everyone. An Old Testament quote that would seek justice for the victim would
be, “And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth,
hand for hand, foot for foot,” (Exodus 21:23-24). This quote seeks that if someone harmed you,
then you have the right to seek justice against them and give them equal harm. The Exodus quote
is neglected in the criminal justice system today because not everyone gets equal harm or
punishment for causing harm to you.
In The New Testament a quote from the Bible about seeking justice for the victims would
be, “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men” (Romans
12:17). In The New Testament, it suggests that whoever harmed you, you shouldn’t seek revenge
on them or hold a grudge. James 1:12 highlights the importance of staying strong in the face of
temptation during trials and then they shall be rewarded. “Blessed is the man that endureth
temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised
to them that love him.” If the accused remains strong during the trial, then they will be rewarded
with the crown of life. In conclusion there are both details in the American criminal justice
system that side with and have neglected the legal principles found in the Bible.
Reflection Exercise Assignment 4
References:
Neubauer, David W, and Henry F Fradella. America’s Courts and the Criminal Justice System.
13th ed., Boston, Ma, Cengage, 2018.
“Deuteronomy 1:17 KJV “Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small
as well as the great..” www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Deuteronomy-1-17/.
Exodus 21:23-24. KJV “And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,”
www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Exodus-21-23/.
Romans 12:17. KJV “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of
all men.” www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Romans-12-17/.
