Friday, May 21, 2021

A Non-intuitive Relationship

Although my experience in family court and the experience black men have with the police may seem worlds apart, there is a commonality that leads me to conclude they are but two aspects of the same societal problem. 

Let's look at some of the similarities

Laws

Although there is certainly room for improvement in both areas, it is clear that current statutory law does not give either law enforcement  officers or lawyers any immunity from crimes they commit. The laws are simply ignored. 

Wall of Silence

Although many members of law enforcement and the legal system may not have themselves committed a crime directly. they have committed a crime by remaining silent when they know of a colleagues who committed a crime. Not reporting a crime constitutes covering up a crime, which is a crime itself. Many, if not most, law enforcement officers and lawyers have turned a blind eye to crimes by their colleagues. 

Evidence

Evidence is supposed to matter. Often it does not. 

Public Outrage

The conviction of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd only happened because of the public outrage that erupted after the event. Sadly, it is unlikely there will be any similar public protests against lawyers who commit crimes. Crimes, I may add, which kill just as many if not more innocents as crimes committed by law enforcement officers although in an indirect manner. 

Institutionalized Crime

Both  law enforcement and the legal industry have institutionalized crime. It has, in many areas, become normalized.  Like government racism in a small town in Alabama during the 1950s, they probably don't even know it is wrong. That is the most dangerous thing. 

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