Race and Class in the American Criminal Justice System

         After reading the article, Race and Class in the American Criminal Justice System it makes you aware there is not equality in court system. It is not equal to all based on race and economics. There is an inability to be properly defended in court if you are unaware you have the right to an attorney. Before Miranda Laws many people may have spoke without an attorney or been coerced into confessions for crimes they may not have committed. The Justice system is suppose to protect all people but primarily African American and Hispanics males have not been treated equally.
      
      The O. J. Simpson case became a case of black vs whites. It was not decided based on evidence but the defense used Mark Furman's racial slurs to create a case based on racial profiling and the assumption the blood evidence was planted. The jury consisted of a majority of black jurors who sided with O.J. Simpson. The entire murder evidence became dehumanized by highlight racial profiling instead of a murder trial of hard evidence. It became a trial about race and divided people. He was a wealthy celebrity not a typical black male being tried for a double murder.

      If a judge had heard the case instead of a jury there may have been a different outcome. All cases may be more fair if handled by judges where the administration of justice is handle without emotion over fact. Statistically equality is difficult to achieve when you have no money for your defense and lack of education. Forty percent of the people in jail can not read. How can you defend yourself if you can not understand the process and charges against you? This does not say that all people are treated unfairly but opportunity for a fair defense should be equal. Many people have been found innocence after accepting plea bargains for crimes they never committed.

      I encountered when I was a young teen hanging out with my friends, that the police will stop you for no apparent reason. I was really nervous because they asked for our ID and we hadn't done anything wrong. I was not aware that I didn't have to show my ID or answer any questions. I was scared and intimiated. They really had no right to stop us for nothing but you feel compelled to comply.

     What can we do to create a more fair system of justice? Is it based on race or do more ethnic group do more crime? No matter what your race, I believe all people want other to be treated fairly.