The issue is: how much does it cost to buy decent justice?
Because, if you want ANY kind of justice, you have to be ready to fork out a lot of bucks.
Criminal defense lawyer? $400 an hour minimum.
Are you suing for discrimination or harassment? Another $400 to $500 an hour.
When people say that "the system works," are they including these facts in their reasoning?
When people say that "the system works," are they including these facts in their reasoning?
I think when people say the "systems works" they know there will be a price to be paid. Nothing comes easy or for free and people know that. Although, they may underestimate the expenses, people know the system is there to do the work.
ReplyDeleteI think people chose to forget about these facts when they say "the system works". They know the system only works if you have the money to make it work. Everything has a price nowadays, but the price to buy justice and prove their innocence is too high for some people. And there are others who have enough money to bend justice to their favor. The system may work completely fairly when the two opposing parties are pretty much equal, but if one party is much more wealthy they will almost always have the advantage. A rich person will sue someone for harassment in a circumstance where a poor person won't because they cannot stand to lose the case and waste the money. It is not worth the risk for the poor. Simply, justice may be given to you even if you can't afford it, but it will be given to you if you can afford it.
ReplyDeleteWhen people "justify" how the system works they are completely ignoring any sort of monetary scenarios. The same thing happens when people complain that marginalized people should "work harder" or "get better paying jobs" this assumes that marginalized people have access to these kind of jobs in the first place.
ReplyDeleteThe people making this argument that "this is just how the system works" aren't wrong though, unfortunately the system does work in this way. However the system functioning this way doesn't make it right- in fact it's more than unfair and unjust.
When people say that "the system works" I don't think that they are including the above facts in their reasoning. Their lack of consideration is most likely because they are either racially privileged or financially privileged.
ReplyDeleteHowever,I don't think that people are completely unaware of the cost of making the system work and if they do think about it, it is most likely an afterthought. I also believe that there are people who are in denial of the ytem working for everyone regardless of wealth or ability to pay.
I think that one only becomes really aware of the cost of making the system work when they don't actually have the money to compensate the system.This is because usually the lack of money means lackof cooperation from the ystem and unfortunately these are the people who mostly the need the systems support.
In my opinion when people say that "the system works." it really depends on ones economical class. I would not say it's racially privileged but financially privileged. In most cases when someone say "that the system works" I'll think that they either really have faith in how the law system works or money can buy everything. In a current law suite like Bill Cosby is a great example because he's African American but he's wealthy and he was not locked up in jail by Judge Steven O'Neill for a potential crime he might have committed.
ReplyDeleteWhen people say "the system works", I think that they are implying that at the end of the day the justice system serves its purpose. People will specifically go out to seek lawyers and pay them expensive rates because they know that these lawyers will fight for them properly because 'it works'. Even though these people are aware of the financial circumstances that come with the justice system, they are willing to do so because they know that at the end of the day the system will work and is there to help them.
ReplyDeleteWhen hearing the phrase "the system works", I believe the person doesn't include the facts that were included above. Unfortunately, the people who believe this is how the system works are usually people who financially stable.
ReplyDeleteHowever, everyone knows that nothing comes for free. If one wants something there is always a price to pay. Dues that high are unfair to the payer but to the lawyer that seems completely fair to them because it is their job.
Hello , I completely agree with your post. The wealthier individuals are always better off therefore the system works in their favor. It's sad to see that sometimes when an individual have no money society will turn them down but the minute they furnish some cash they are able to be help or get justice.
DeleteThe "system works" only if you're in a position to know how to work it. For instance, a 30 year old white male that has run into trouble with the law is more established to be able to deal with high end lawyers than a 18 year old black male. Established from a financial stand point definitely as well as being a more attractive client. High end lawyers want to keep a good record in terms of winning and losing cases, so they will favor a client whom is easier to defend in the public eye than a client who might be stereotyped and seen as a person who "put themselves in a bad situation." In conclusion, I don't believe the system presents a fair playing field for all of our citizens.
ReplyDeleteWhen you hear the "System Works" i believe that to the people its more scene like justice has been served, or as in someone winning a trial, when it comes to the cost its a price that most people don't really know about, or know how much it will cost. On average i think that everyone knows that there is some type of price that comes with the services, but no one expects the prices to be so high as they are. Thats why most people who can't afford their own lawyer get the one appointed to them by the city.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the idea that "the system works" does not take finances into account. Regardless of race, a financially stable person stands a better chance against a court than one who doesn't have the finances. The system works when it can. Any advantages can and will affect the way justice is served, and those who firmly believe the system works may be the ones with the power to uphold it in their favor.
ReplyDeleteThe Justice System is supposed to be a system where each individual is treated equally and those who do wrong to others are given a punishment and one is able to receive their justice. However, unfortunately this system “works” for only certain individuals; those who have money and able to afford a good lawyer to be able to fight their battles. Those who are unable to afford a good lawyer fall through the cracks. Either their case is settled and they aren’t able to achieve their justice, or they representation loses their case. In many instances, people have lost cases in which they were supposed to win, and in many cases people have been jailed for crimes they didn’t commit. This proves that the “system” most definitely doesn’t work for everyone.
ReplyDeleteWhen referring to the system works , it only applies to certain individuals . Yes the system works if you are wealthy and have enough money to pay your way through . The Wealthier class often benefits, whether its paying extra money under the table or being able to a afford a prominent lawyer that guarantees justice. On the other hand an individual who is wealthy is willing to pay the price in order to gain justice. As oppose to a poor individual who is unwilling to pay his way through therefore justice and the system will not be in his favor
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