Video Analysis Of The Film 'Kids For Cash'

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Michelle ElsenbaryEthics and Diversity in CJVideo AnalysisProfessor MillerFebruary 16, 2018"Kids for Cash"Video AnalysisThis three-part video series 'Kids for Cash"is about twojudges named Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan who took money from two private prisons to send kids away; meaning trading kids for cash.The video documentary discusses three different casesof kids who were sent to juvenile detention under Judge Ciavarella. It also includes interviews from Robert Schwartz, the executive director of the Juvenile Law Center in Philadelphia; and Robert May, the director and producer of ''Kids for Cash" documentary. In the first video, Heather Transue tells her story about how she was sent to juvenile detentionwhen she was 15 years old.She …show more content…

However, this was not what took place. Heather and her mother went to court and was told byaprobation officer that there was no need for a lawyer because the maximum sentence would be probation and community service. She had to sign a paper stating that they did not have a lawyer. When they entered the court room theywere in front of Judge Ciavarella. He referred to her as an adjudicated delinquent and she was then handcuffed and sent to juvenile detention.The series then includes an interview with Charlie who was also sent to juvenile detention for officers assuming he had received stolen property, even though his family …show more content…

The ethical problem in this case is that the judge sentkids to prison in exchange for cash.The next step is to examine the situation and identify those involved in the dilemma. The judge has sent numerous kids to prison for insufficient reasons just because he will receive a payout. The kids, familiesand the lawyers and prosecutorsare all involved. The third step is collecting the relevant facts to make decision through examining the implications, consequences and responsibility to report. The probation officers, lawyers and prosecutors clearly should have reported to the state bar what was going on. They maybe refrained from reporting him because they were threatened by him. The fourth step is to recall the ethical theoriesand principles and apply them to the situation. Ciavarellaand Conahanbroke the code of judicial conduct by not upholding and promoting the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciaryand shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety. Also, theybroke the code about performing the duties of judicial office impartially, competently, and diligently. The fifth step is to identify the available options in the situation. In thissituation, it was lawful that the Juvenile Law Center got involved in exposingthesejudges. If nobody had intervened, then this corruption may still be taking place. The sixth step is to make a decision based on what is most

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