Problem
Watch the following youtube videos
1. We need to talk about an injustice | Bryan Stevenson
2. A prosecutor's vision for a better justice system | Adam Foss
Mr. Stevenson talks of "identity". How does the theory of "identity" impact individuals and our legal/justice systems. Convictions impact individuals greatly from being able to attend school & work to denial of constitutional rights. How does this fact impact those that have been exonerated? Individuals that have been convicted, but organizations like Mr. Stevenson's and Mr. Foss' have worked to have innocent men and women exonerated of crimes of which they were falsely accused. What are your thoughts on Mr. Stevenson's talk given the recent events in the past year?
Is it important to know the "stories" of the individual that committed infractions? Could this information impact the way the legal authorities distribute justice? The phrase "criminal justice" is the process wherein society is receiving justice as it were, not the criminal according to this video. However, isn't the criminal also a part of this "society"? Do prosecutors and judges have too much legal discretion in prosecuting cases? What are your thoughts? What would you say to socially minded prosecutors like Mr. Foss and Mr. Stevenson? Substantiate your views with specific examples.