Is there a lack of diversity in members of the jury in criminal cases? Reflect on equity after reading the following article: Binnall, J. M. (2019). Jury diversity in the age of mass incarceration: An exploratory mock jury experiment examining felon-jurors’ potential impacts on deliberations. Psychology, Crime & Law, 25(4), 345-363.http://ezproxy.apus.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com./login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip&db=i3h&AN=135648377&site=ehost-live&scope=site 2. Provide details of common pretrial motions and their significance.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Lack of Jury Diversity in Criminal Cases: A Reflection on Equity
The issue of jury diversity in criminal cases is a critical aspect of ensuring fairness and equity within the legal system. The article “Jury diversity in the age of mass incarceration: An exploratory mock jury experiment examining felon-jurors’ potential impacts on deliberations” sheds light on the importance of diverse jury compositions, especially in the context of mass incarceration and its disproportionate impact on certain communities.
The study conducted an exploratory mock jury experiment to examine the potential impacts of including felon-jurors in jury deliberations. The findings highlighted the valuable perspectives and insights that individuals with prior criminal justice involvement can bring to jury discussions. By including diverse voices and experiences on juries, the decision-making process can be enriched, leading to more nuanced and fair outcomes.
However, the reality is that there is often a lack of diversity in jury selection for criminal cases, with marginalized communities, particularly people of color, being underrepresented. This lack of representation can perpetuate biases and systemic injustices within the legal system, ultimately affecting the outcomes of trials and the trust in the judicial process.
To address this issue, it is essential for legal professionals, policymakers, and society as a whole to prioritize jury diversity and inclusion. By actively seeking diverse jury pools that reflect the full spectrum of our society, we can enhance the integrity and legitimacy of our criminal justice system. Embracing diversity in juries not only upholds principles of equity and fairness but also fosters a more comprehensive understanding of complex legal issues and promotes greater trust in judicial decisions.
Common Pretrial Motions and Their Significance
In the legal realm, pretrial motions play a crucial role in shaping the course of a criminal case before it goes to trial. Some common pretrial motions and their significance include:
1. Motion to Suppress Evidence
This motion seeks to exclude specific evidence from being presented at trial. If evidence was obtained unlawfully or in violation of constitutional rights, such as through an illegal search or seizure, a motion to suppress can challenge its admissibility. This motion is significant as it can impact the strength of the prosecution’s case and the defendant’s rights to a fair trial.
2. Motion to Dismiss
A motion to dismiss requests the court to terminate the case before trial due to legal deficiencies in the charges or procedural errors. This motion challenges the sufficiency of the evidence or alleges violations of the defendant’s rights. A successful motion to dismiss can result in the dismissal of charges against the defendant.
3. Motion for Discovery
A motion for discovery requests access to evidence held by the opposing party. This motion allows both the defense and prosecution to obtain relevant information, documents, or witness statements that may impact the case’s outcome. Discovery motions are essential for ensuring transparency and fairness in the legal process.
4. Motion for Continuance
A motion for continuance seeks to postpone a scheduled court proceeding, such as a trial or hearing, to a later date. This motion may be filed due to various reasons, such as inadequate preparation time, unexpected circumstances, or the need for additional evidence. Granting a motion for continuance can ensure that all parties have sufficient time to present their case effectively.
In conclusion, pretrial motions play a significant role in shaping the legal landscape of criminal cases by addressing key procedural issues, evidentiary matters, and constitutional rights. Understanding common pretrial motions and their implications is essential for navigating the complexities of the criminal justice system and safeguarding the principles of justice and equity.
