midterm

At first I had to really determine between two: consensus and conflict but I would say that consensus paradigms describes our criminal justice system, in the United States, the best. Consensus, “expresses what society truly is.” The way it is explained, in regular terms, is that under law everyone has the right to speak and have their own voice in what they believe in and what they feel. Not only does this pertain to the law but coming together as a whole and each being individually equal under the law comes to play, a role in consensus paradigms. Another reason for choosing consensus is because it states, “vote, pay taxes, demand the passage of laws, and reap benefits from the social contract (everyone gives up some measure of their rights and freedom for the benefit of all). I feel that this describes our criminal justice system in the United States because we all have our individual rights of freedom but along with that we also have to give up certain things to be United as one. To describe the “justice” received by Cameron Todd Willingham I would say that pluralist paradigm best describes it. My reasoning for this is because after he was sentenced for execution and time had passed, most people started to really question whether the fire was started accidentally or purposely. Pluralist paradigm states that, “Law arises from multiple interest groups whose power is in flux, always changing.” It also states, “With changing times, people are open to new ideas.” With this case I feel that people were open to the idea that he was wrongly convicted and with that I feel that is where justice was received for him. To lose your kids and then be wrongly accused, I could imagine, would be beyond difficult. Therefore, I think it was right t...

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...se but ethical. Key elements in the teaching of ethics is to have openness, fairness, no apathy, and competence. I am not saying that he doesn't hold these key elements but I do feel that he didn't act with those key elements. As a judge he should have a certain perspective of seeing things such as his actions in a professional eye instead of an average guy perspective. I mentioned morals a little earlier and ethics consists of following those morals and doing the right things. This was so inappropriate and like Cebull said, “although that's what it is” in reference of the e-mail he sent as being racist, I do feel that to have justice for a person a follow of morals and the social contract needs to be followed. Like stated before, Judge Cebull is held at a certain standard that makes him seen as a role model. Therefore, I agree with the approval of his impeachment.