Race Based Jury Nullification Essay Example for Free

Race Based Jury Nullification Essay Jury nullification can generally be termed as the act by a jury who even though is convinced that a defendant is guilty of the charges he or she is accused of, decides to give out or acquit him or her of the charges for the jury’s own reasons (Brandy R. 2006). Jury nullification or for that matter can be defined as a process whereby the jury(s) nullifies â€Å"unfair laws by declaring guilty defendants not guilty†. On the other hand race based jury nullification involves the process of a jury acquitting an individual based on his or her race. This kind of cases is usually found in homogenous cases where the diversity of the jury is nil or very little. Earlier cases that include runaway slave laws as well as the present day cases like police shootings indicate that race based nullification is still a modern day courtroom issue. The nullification process usually takes place in the event that a criminal trial decides not to convict a defendant in spite of full proof of guilt due to the belief and view by jurors that the law is unfair or at certain times that there is an unjustly application of the said law. The basis of the nullification can be said, thus, to be â€Å"the unjustness of the law†, the application of the same law on the basis of race of a party. Additionally there are instances where cases that involve the terminally ill persons in the society are often given leniency by the jurors, when they do drugs due to their condition. The issue often is not just about nullification per se but at times is based and as such has brought a lot o debate on its essence in view of the law as well as ethics. In this paper, I will discuss the issue of race based jury nullification, its limitations as well as its merits. Finally I will evaluate the relevance of race based jury nullification in our present day society. Race based jury nullification Race based jury nullification involves the process of a jury knowingly acquitting a defendant based on his or her race and with the full knowledge that the defendant is guilty. There are empirical studies, which have shown that about 3 to 4 percent of jury criminal trails have been connected to jury nullification. The dilemma that the situation presents is overwhelming, considering that there exists no chance to stop the process of jury nullification as jurors and are never ordered or forced to convict defendants and also there is also no clause in law that makes it punishable for the juror to acquit someone. The overlying principle function of the jury is that it should complete the law, if necessary through the recognition of fundamentals of justification that traverses beyond the written laws of the land and not to â€Å"nullify† the instructions given by the judge. The focal point of reference when the jurors give the â€Å"not guilty† verdict and in the process is the issue of unjust nature of the law. Pros and cons Depending on which side of the debate you are on, this issue has both the ugly and the good side. There are various reasons why race based jury nullification has encountered criticisms even by its ardent supporters. One, the case can be used for majority cases, that is in instances where the jury consists largely of persons from the same race can effectively acquit one of their â€Å"own† (defendant from the same race). For instance, a largely constituted black jury would free a black American even tough she or he has committed a severe crime. Thus in view of the law, when a dangerous individual is acquitted on the basis of his or her race sets a bad precedence (Jemal, 1997). There are instances when white jurors have acquitted fellow whites through the process of jury nullification while in the face of it the said defendants actually engaged in an illegality that either harmed black or brown people in America. There are also instances when black jurors have freed fellow blacks on the basis of their races while they committed either a racial act or a severe crime. This has not helped the just course of the due process, blacks, whites as well as other races have engaged in the race based jury nullification, something that does not portend well for rules of the law. The nature with which the voting is normally done by the jurors is usually that of conscience, to an extent this is a total disrespect if not abuse of the laws of this land. When someone who is supposedly guilty is acquitted, this is tantamount to nullification of the very law. They are supposed to protect and on whose basis the jury even came into existence. Jury nullification has the potential to turn an otherwise coherent and cohesive society or state into some hostile, incoherent or even lead to civil strife. This is because when serious acts are committed, and rulings are based on races, the respective races may gang up against each other. It seems to be a defeat process in the face of the law that should be the guardian and protector of all. The most often conclusion drawn is usually that nullification is an integral part of power, which is essential for the checks and balances of the judicial system. Jury nullification has and will continue to play a dual role in the history of our country. There are certain instances in our history that jury nullification has proved to be a useful tool. For instance, in those cases that involved slavery or differential prosecution at certain instances let racist to go unabated. There is the possibility that over use of this power together with other real or imagined risks that it possess would be enormous if everyone were to understand and be aware of it. However, the absence of it would put and vest too much power with the executive and surely everyone else understands the consequences of excessive unbalanced power exercised by the government versus the power of the common citizens. Conclusion Overall, the race based jury nullification has been, still is and would always be a very highly debatable topic, whether one supports it or he or she is against it. In each and every argument put forward by anyone in the society for or against jury nullification process, there are strong, valid opinions and facts in support of the various respective reasons that cannot just be wished away. Having evaluated the situation, and with a critical analysis of the basis of the law of our great country, I came to a conclusion that with due respect the good job the jurors have done so far, the race based jury nullification should not be conducted or at least cordoned by the jurors. This does not mean that I am in anyway opposing or rejecting the whole idea of jury nullification. However, if the element of race becomes apart of the whole equation, then I strongly call for its ban. In my opinion and understanding of our history I believe jury nullification based on a defendant’s race does not promote unity within communities at any level. Considering the tremendous efforts our country has made towards a harmonious community and with the effort various personalities have put in educating and sensitizing people on how negative race based ideas has and can be. I believe the whole process is discriminatory and basically racial to the people in our society. This does not in any way mean that individuals should be ashamed of their races and promotes the values and ideals they stand for, but when a defendant is found guilty or innocent on the basis of the law by the jurors based on his or her race alone then there is a problem. Either the problem is with the law or our society but none of us wants either of these two scenarios. The basis for any juror’s decision should be facts, information as well as evidence that they receive throughout the trail. Jurors prejudices be it racial or otherwise should be left at their door steps before they get into the streets leave alone the courtrooms. Reference: Brandy Rivera, 2006, Race based jury nullification. Associated Content Cato Books 1999: Jurors Should Know Their Rights: A historical look at jury independence Jemal, 1997, Race Based Jury Nullification: A Path To Equality! http://www. geocities. com/athens/olympus/1320/nullification. htm Scheflin, Alan W. , (1999) California Bar Journal, Point Counter Point Is it ever proper for juries to ignore or reinterpret the law? , Retrieved September 28, 2007 from http://www. calbar. ca. gov/calbar/2cbj/99mar/page14-1. htm

Male Menopause: Fact or Fiction? Essay -- Biology Essays Research Pape

Male Menopause: Fact or Fiction? "Male menopause is a lot more fun than female menopause. With female menopause you gain weight and get hot flashes. Male menopause - you get to date young girls and drive motorcycles." (11) While 'male menopause' has provided both sexes a variety of jokes and frustration, there are researchers and scientists studying the alleged condition with great seriousness. Those who support the existence of male menopause feel strongly that its affects on the male mind and body should be regarded with the same credence that society attributes to the female menopause. Male Menopause begins with declining testosterone levels and is eventually characterized by the following symptoms: hair loss, depression, a slower immune system, weight gain, less stamina for physical activity, forgetfulness, irritability, and loss of or reduced interest in sex. (5) Impotence may also occur. Usually this "change" arises between the ages of 40 and 55, although it has been known to transpire as early as 35 and as late as 65. (6) Several different clinical terms exist for the popularized term "male menopause" such as "andropause" or "viropause". (2) Andropause was named for the hormone "androgen" which is essentially testosterone. It is also the name of the therapy with which they treat a man suffering from male menopause. This treatment comes in the form of injection, skin patches or liquid gel. (5) In order to be diagnosed with male menopause, one must have reached the eligible age then endure a physical exam wherein blood samples will be taken. These samples are tes ted for hormone levels. If these blood samples demonstrate low levels of androgen and the patient seems to be suffering from the symptoms associated wit... ...althy.net/hwlibrarynewsletters/update/malemenopause.htm 7)Human Development Report, provides the average male life expectancy statistics for all countries http://www.undp.org/hdr2003/indicator/indic_199_1_1.html 8)Human Development Report, provides the average female life expectancy statistics for all countries http://www.undp.org/hdr2003/indicator/indic_198_1_1.html 9)ABC Science, short article by ABC questioning the reality of male menopause http://abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s112941.htm 10)ABC Interview, interview with Jed Diamond, author of Male Menopause, a 1998 best seller. who used to be a disbeleiver in male menopause but now firmly credits the possibility of a male 'change' http://abcnews.go.com/sections/living/DailyNews/chat_diamond000614.html 11)Women Joke Page, Male menopause joke http://www.y2kwomen.com/recommended/humor2.html

Near death experience Essay

Life is a great surprise I do not see why death should not be an even greater one â€Å"Everyone knows they’re going to die†¦ but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently†¦. There’s a better approach. To know you’re going to die, and to be prepared for it at any time. That’s better. That way you can actually be more involved in your life while you’re living. † (Albom 82). Morrie feels that people refuse to believe that they will come one day die, and therefore, do not lives there lives as fully as they would have liked and also have many regrets as they become older and their death becomes closer. He feels that once we learn and accept that we are one day going to die, we learn to live our fully and without any regrets. Morrie repeats this quote frequently throughout the chapter to emphasize how important and helpful it is to accept death, and what a benefit it would be to living the remainder of our lives. Morrie wants Mitch to see how he able appreciates the smaller, more genuine things in life, knowing that his death is appropriate. Day by Day remind yourself that you are going to die later in life. So live a good a healthy life. Tuesdays with Morrie, author Mitch Albom allows the reader to experience that teaching of his dying professor, Morrie Schwartz. In the novel, Mitch is taught by Morrie once you learn how to die you learned how to live. Dying is a way of life, we was put on this earth for three reasons born, live, and die. The first aspect once life is known to be coming to an end, and the inevitable is accepted life is live moment to moment. No times is wasted on less important things because times become precious. Life is finally given its full value at the sight of death. Another aspect importance of relationships as well, in order to deal with life and death, family is key to providing the care and love needed to pass peacefully and securely. Learning how to live and cope with death also involved knowing how much to grieve for your own demise. The purpose of life is not to live but to die because life is a test where you going to go in the after life. The feeling to living life to the fullest is immediately thrown out knowing that some day an end to these experiences and lessons will inevitably come. Stress can be greatly decreased if a death is accepted; however, coping with death by refusing to believe one will die is psychologically natural. All combined Cancers rank as some of the highest causes of death, with cancer of the lungs as one of the largest. Strokes are also one of the highest in the world, accounting for 100,000+ deaths in the United States. â€Å"We want our lives to have meaning death suggest life adds up to nothing. †(Qtd Mchugh) This quote means we have to live to the fullest never know when your day can come to die. Life is too short to be playing around cant live forever. If you believe in the Bible, the meaning of life is Jesus Christ, because He is the only one that defeated death. To be hard working and serve God. To help out in fixing communities, you should not live only for fun but to help others and enjoy life too. â€Å"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning. †(Albom 43) Mitch recalls this quote, that Morrie had once told him, at the beginning of the novel when he was describing his job and his lifestyle. Mitch was a very busy, career and success oriented sports reporter. He chased money, success, and materialistic things. He recalled that Morrie had once told him how so many people get caught leading a meaningless life; they become too involved in their job, money, and fall under the popular culture dictatorship. Morrie feels that so many people are mislead thinking all of these things are important and they are too busy chasing these things that their life passes right by them. Morrie says that to create meaning in our life, we must love and show compassion for others. This way we create our own meaning of life and do not waste our life chasing false and superficial dreams. Ironically, Mitch lives this exact life of â€Å"chasing the wrong things. Culture allows us to feel us if death is not approaching and distance ourselves from the inevitable to the point that we feel as if we cannot die. Similarities seen with many who have undergone â€Å"near death† experiences due mainly to advanced technology in which a person can be lost but still survive. Despite the recent founding of the term, it has been ascertained that near-death experiences are not at all contemporary occurrences. Neither are they exclusive to certain age, gender, occupation, ethnicity, or religious group. Such spiritual episodes have been in existence from the time of the ancient philosopher Plato who, in his republic, wrote about a B. C. Greek soldier’s brush with death. Portions of near-death elements are scattered in various medieval Christian writing. Mostly â€Å"revitalizing† event as stated by those that undergo it begins to take life with the value it truly possesses. â€Å"With a changed perspective about the importance of relationships compared to mere material gain. † (Qtd Inquiry) This quote explains that relationships is incredibly important, and not material gains, although this quote is stated that material gain is still existent and part of life. Today, with the influx of modern near-death experience accounts in books, journals, television shows, motion pictures and the internet, more and more people are familiar with the phrase â€Å"light at the end of the tunnel,† as the near death experiences of various individuals give humanity a deeper understanding of death and the afterlife. The near-death experience is an inspirational glimpse of a positive spiritual life after physical death. â€Å"Once you learn how to live you learn how to die. †(Albom 82) Throughout this quote, Morrie feels that people refuse to believe that they will one day die, and therefore, do not live there lives as fully as they would have liked and also have many regrets as they become older and their death becomes closer. He feels that once we learn and accept that we are one day going to die, we learn to live our lives fully and without any regrets. Morrie repeats this quotes frequently throughout the chapter to emphasize how important and helpful it is to accept death, and what a benefit it would be to living the remainder of our lives. Morrie also wants Mitch to see how he is able to appreciate the smaller, more genuine things in life, knowing that his death is approaching. Life is finally given its full value at the sight of death. Morrie stressed the importance of relationships as well, stating they are necessary in aiding one’s passage. In order to deal with life and death, family is the key to providing the care and love needed to pass peacefully and securely. Learning how to live and cope with death also involved knowing how much to grieve for your own demise. Death is biologically inevitable, however when it does finally come, it is seen to do so abruptly, even if it involves a terminal illness. Birth and Death are similar in a way because they are greatly important both emotionally and in the continued existence of humanity. They are opposites in a way too cause birth is anticipated and death is avoided. Immediate shock and disbelief followed by full impact of the death and last, the integration of the loss into daily loss. â€Å"Birth meant an invitation to a life of suffering and never ending work, and of the inevitable sickness and death of which there was no escape. † (Qtd Roman) this quote means birth is gift to life and death is like a surprise party and everybody invited because nobody knows when they going to die. People stress the true importance of family with many objects that are not important in their lives. Material possessions, mainly due to our cultural aspects on life, have ruled our notion on how life should be lived. The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn’t work, don’t buy it. †(Albom 42) This quote illustrates one of the themes in the novel: popular culture vs. self-created values. Morrie feels that we should reject pop-culture values and develop our own sense of values and culture. Morrie feels that the media creates a culture of greed, violence, and lacking satisfaction. Morrie developed his own culture long before he got sick. He appreciated such things like holding discussion groups, walks with friends and dancing. He read books, founded community projects and kept in touch with old colleagues and students. He never wasted time watching TV; instead he took more time enjoying nature, food, and human activities. Morrie also feels that if we are successful at rejecting pop-culture we will lead more meaningful lives, embrace aging, and live without regret. Many Americans put this aside to the point that the actual realization is far more stressful than it should be. People should stressed the importance of begin involved in day to day life and aiding in one’s community. This can be seen as living life to the fullest and taking in the positive aspects while we still have a chance. People should appreciate the natural surroundings. Simple things more than anything else, suggesting that true importance is left in the smallest of things. The purpose of life is not to live but to die. â€Å"Everyone knows they’re going to die, but nobody believes it. †(Albom 70) Morries’s words on this subject are very in depth in that he had to live the last months of his life with this fact looming over his head. He further revitalizes the sense that in our culture do not understand that death is truly inevitable to all of us. The purpose of life is to choose whom you will be loyal to. Either you will show yourself willing to live under the rule of God of the universe or you will choose to live as a slave to self and to sin. Life is a test we have to pass the right way for a reward in life hereafter. Works Cited Albom, Mitch. Tuesdays with Morrie. New York: Doubleday Publishing Group,Inc. , 1997 â€Å"Death: An Inquiry into Man’s Most Mortal Weakness. † (Online) Available http://library. thinkquest. org/16665/cgi-bin/index. cgi April 22, 2007 Mchugh, Paul R. â€Å"Dying made easy. † Commentary. February 1999:13-17 â€Å"When the rains falls. † Publishers Weekly 29 October 2012.

Who Was Geoffrey Chaucer - 888 Words

Who was Geoffrey Chaucer? One of the most unique poets of during the Middle Ages was Geoffrey Chaucer. He was born in London sometime between 1340 and 1344. His parents were John Chaucer and Agnes Copton. John Chaucer was an affluent wine merchant and deputy to the king’s butler. Geoffrey held several opportunities early in his life serving as a noblewoman’s page, a courtier, a diplomat, a civil servant, and a collector of scrap metal. He was given theses oppurtunities because of who his father was and the role he played in society. There is not much about his early life. It was proven that he could speak French, Latin, and Italian. Chaucer joined the English Army’s invasion of France in 1359, this was during the Hundred Years war, it was also during the time of te Black Death. After joining the war he was soon taken prisoner; King Edward the third of England paid his ransom in 1360. Six years later in 1366 Chaucer married Philipa de Roe, who was Kind Edward the thirds wife’s maid. It was rumored that they had two sons an a daughter, but was never proven. The king gave Chaucer a life pension in 1367, and began traveling abroad on diplomatic missions. While on his trips to Italy in 1372 and 1378, he discovered the works of Dante, Boccaccio, and Petrach all of these had a huge impact on Chaucer’s own literary work. Chaucer had taken a liking to love poetry of the French tradition, including the Romaunt of the Rose (c. 1370) and Saint Cecilia (c. 1373), later used as theShow MoreRelatedThe Summoner and His Tale in the Canerbur Tales by Goffergy Chaucer674 Words   |  3 Pagescharacteristics. In the series of tales The Canterbury Tales, author Geoffrey Chaucer writes about a group of people with different occupations during the Middle Ages. Who are going on a pilgrimage to the sacred town of Canterbury. Chaucer gives a detailed description of each character traveling to Canterbury. 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