Criminal Justice Speech
The purpose of this speech is to demonstrate the vital role played by the criminal justice system and especially patriots serving the nation in the criminal justice system, in maintaining peace and order. Our gallant armies, efficient tanks, and decisive bombs secure our borders and guard our freedoms, our criminal justice officers preserve, protect, and most importantly promote our fundamental rights and freedoms. The criminal justice system encompasses police informers, police officers, investigators, judicial officers, prosecutors, and prison wardens. They all stand at the edge sewing our lives together. They protect our workers, our workplaces, our roads, the air we breathe, the food we eat, and our lives. They are the essential ingredients to complete a peaceful society without whom everything falls apart. This speech highlights the fundamental role of the criminal justice system in the preservation of peace and the advancement of human rights.
My grandfather served in both World War I and World War II. However, he delighted most not in his exploits in defending Pearl Harbor but solving murder mysteries and giving closure to families of the victims. Don’t get me wrong, my grandfather revered the military and he was deeply grateful for their service. What he understood is that while the army keeps our enemies at bay, it is the law enforcement officers who keep our peace here at home.
Saint Thomas Aquinas in his work in Summa Theologia posited that man is inherently selfish and would go to any extent to preserve their life or promote their welfare. Unfortunately, this desire lurks in every heart and this led to conflict as a resource to fulfill every need was scarce. The society was then filled with violence. The society then devised laws to ensure peaceful co-existence with each other. However, the laws could only be enforced if those who faulted them were met with punitive actions. It is then that the government was formed to ensure compliance. The government acts through the criminal justice system which is essentially criminal justice officers.
The most effective tool in the criminal justice system is sentencing which ensures that those who seek to breach peace are dealt with. The aim of sentencing includes deterrence, vengeance, denunciation, rehabilitation, protection of the public, and protection of an offender. Deterrence seeks to isolate offenders by putting them in confinements and in consequence deny him an opportunity to commit the undesired activities against society. Retribution or vengeance is achieved through inflicting pain to offenders through meting out undesirable consequences on those who violate the rights of others. As a denunciation, society expresses its disapproval of certain acts by punishing those who commit them. The net effect of all these theories is that society through various actors in the criminal justice system ensures that peace is preserved and men can go about their pursuit of happiness.
The criminal justice system also ensures equality of all and thus promotes human dignity. As a fundamental principle, those who do any acts with comparable gravity are punished equally. Human dignity and the respect of individuals are therefore promoted. The act has ripple effects as more people have confidence in the system of governance, the law, and society. It creates a sense of national pride, citizen responsibility, fosters good relations between the government and its people, and consequently preserves society as we know it.
In conclusion, I humbly submit that criminal justice is the central pillar that holds society together, repairs the broken pieces, seals the cracks, and repaints the dotted parts. We owe life as we know it to the criminal justice system and I can’t be more honored than being to be part of this incredible workforce that keeps the ship afloat.
Bibliography
Crowe, Jonathan, 2019. Natural Law and the Natural Law. Cambridge & New York, Cambridge University Press.
Mike C. Materni, 2013. Criminal Punishment and the Pursuit of Justice. Br. J. Am. Leg. Studies. Havard University. Retrieved from https://hls.harvard.edu/content/uploads/2011/09/michele-materni-criminal-punishment.pdf