The Justice System

Just Mercy Background

Background
What is the focus of each amendment addressing the criminal justice system?
Amendment Focus

4 Protects against searches and seizures conducted by the government

or pursuant to governmental direction.

5  Guarantees the right to a grand jury, forbids “double jeopardy,” 

6 guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a

public trial without unnecessary delay, the right to a lawyer, the right
to an impartial jury.

8 Prohibits the federal government from imposing unduly harsh

penalties on criminal defendants

Quick Debates
Question Answer Reasoning

Should we use the death penalty? Yes For criminal who did something related to
rape and murder are not supposed to have
a second chance of life. They need to be
sentenced fairly.

Should juveniles (anyone under 18) Yes Once a person did something illegal, they
be sentenced to life imprisonment will probably do it again in the future.
or the death penalty?

Should juveniles (anyone under 18) No In my opinion, the age gap is not good for
be sent to adult prison? juveniles to send them to adult prison

Should the previously incarcerated Yes Everyone should have the right to vote
be allowed to vote upon release?
 Should we allow giving someone No We should understand for someone who
the death penalty if they are also has mentally illness, they couldn’t think as
mentally ill? normal person

Do you think that the US justice No I don’t understand much about this topic
system follows the ideal “innocent but the US justice system might not follow
until proven guilty”? that deal

Essential Questions
Big Question Response: What does justice for both victims and criminals look like?
For victims, justice is like a relief pill to them. But for criminals, it’s like a purnishment.

Delve Deeper Response:

- Mercy can’t have a place in justice system, we can’t use mercy to sentence a criminal
- We should consider the case to punish those who convicted crime.

Big Questions Response: What are the problems in the justice system? How might we fix them?
Big problems in the justice system are human trafficking and drug crime. We can fix them by
spreading the awareness and help to people.

Delve Deeper Response:

The roles goals of law are to bring justice. It is not achieving its purpose when it cancel out
people’s freedom.