Law & Justice

Part I:

Your part I research assignment is:

Define and discuss the five political ideologies described below.
Define and discuss the four types of justice described below.
Political Ideologies:

During our short time together, we’ve studied the writings of several philosophers.  They help us in our effort to better understand laws and justice vis-à-vis political ideologies, or ways governments and societies are organized.  To that end, five major ideologies emerge:

Anarchism
Absolutism
Liberalism
Conservatism
Socialism
Types of Justice:

Despite the fact that each is defined differently, their respective citizen populations are exposed to some form of law and justice.  In this course, we have examined four types of justice:

Restorative
Retributive
Transformative
Distributive
Part II:

Notwithstanding our personal political ideologies, most of us recognize our system of law and justice, although imperfect, represents the best the world has to offer.  Having said that, many will argue the notion that justice is blind.  Keeping in mind the different types of ideologies and justice, read the below-listed hypothetical scenario.

Law & Justice Scenario:

Assume you are the sibling of an older brother 15-years your senior.  One night your brother is senselessly murdered.  His killer is identified, arrested, prosecuted, found guilty, and sentenced to death.

Twenty-five years elapse. The situation today is:

Your brother’s killer remains on death row, his case seemingly immersed in one appeal after another with no execution date on the horizon.
Your grandparents, death penalty proponents, died 5-years ago convinced that the framers of our constitution implicitly believed justice should take place in the victim family’s lifetime.
Your mother, a devoutly religious person, is ill but forgives your brother’s killer.  She believes justice has already taken place and claims she will die at peace €“ whether or not she outlives your brother’s killer.
Your father is bitter and angry.  He believes the values that underpin our society have eroded to the point where there is no justice.
A  government lawyer assigned to the appellate case contacts you  She says the defense team has some compelling motions before the court, which, if approved by the court, may lead to the release of your brother’s killer.
Your specific assignment is to discuss and describe justice from the perspective of:

The sibling ( this will reflect your personal opinion)
Grandparents
Mother
Father
The attorneys
Note: You must use research to defend your position statements.  For example, if you believe lifetime incarceration is a waste of public monies, tell me how much it costs to incarcerate a prisoner for a year.
Make sure you include:

Is an eye for an eye approach sentencing an example of justice?
Should a convicted killer whose guilt is not in question be released on purely procedural grounds?  Is that justice?
Should religious beliefs play any role in sentencing guidelines?  What impact does religion have on justice?
Is it unreasonable to believe a death row inmate should be executed within a reasonable time after sentencing €“ clearly before the victim’s family passes of natural causes?
Are there financial considerations that impact our nation’s pursuit of justice?  What are they?  Give examples.
Who is responsible for systemic problems that exist in our law/justice system and can they be fixed? Is our justice broken?
What role(s) do the prosecutor and defense counsel play in this and do their personal opinions on justice affect their efforts?