THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: PROSPECT, CHALLENGES, LOST AND GAINS.
By Kushi Libi Isaac
The administration of criminal justice system is without doubt one of the hallmarks of achievement of the administration of Goodluck Jonathan and the 7th National assembly. The amended version of the bill was re-initiated in 2013 and became an Act in 2014 after presidential assent
The Act is aim at decongesting petty cases at courts with the aim of making magistrate courts and other minor courts to effectively and efficiently work to optimal capacity.
Decongestion of prisons is another issue the act seeks to address and dispensation of justice, and to avert prolong cases at the courts as most inmates about 81% are said to be awaiting trials.
5 years after, it is expedient for us to evaluate the gains, lost, and challenges confronting the judicial system and my focus will be on Gun and drugs related criminal cases.
The proliferation of small and light arms can be said to be the root cause and the fueling effect of this menace.
This is a discourse for another day.
As my focus is on right to self defense according to the law the rehabilitation of gun violence victims
Let me propose that our legislators ensure law enforcement is funded and supported to enforce the thousands of existing Federal and state laws, rules and regulations for firearms.
Every criminologist will tell you that laws don’t dissuade criminals, it’s the fear of getting caught and being punished for breaking the laws that does, so let’s do that for a while.
While we address criminals, now would be a good time to motivate prosecutors to aggressively prosecute criminals; knowing they will likely face little to no consequence for their crimes only emboldens criminals, lets change that. Meaningful consequences for breaking the law is a deterrent.
Then let’s focus on the incarcerated criminals by addressing behavioral and the other underlying drivers that if left untreated, will never change. From behavioral health to substance abuse, treat them while incarcerated and we lower their likelihood for recidivism.
On recidivism, once released, we need to ensure those on probation and parole are monitored and receive a continuum of treatment to reduce the potential for re-offending. Ensure probation and parole is funded and appropriately staffed to serve the vital public safety role they have.
let's’s address the pathways to violence and crime in the communities plagued by crime and violence; target gangs, drug dealers, education deficits and lack of meaningful opportunities that create an environment where crime and violence flourishes.
And on the touted “Laws" why do we need another law, and one that will run afoul of the administration of criminal justice system, when we already have involuntary commitments as a tool to mitigate perceived risks from someone who may be a threat to themselves or others? Here in the north, involuntary commitment can be ordered by a Magistrate 24/7, 365 days of the year, this provides for immediate mitigation of the perceived threat by taking the person in for a mental health evaluation and does not infringe on right to freedom of movement and association which these “Acts and Laws” does by depriving law abiding citizens of their property, without the benefit of due Process.
I am not alone in observing a lot of talking by our elected officials but little action beyond hyperbolic statements about one another; they use these tragedies to foment fear and push for more laws that will only negatively impact law abiding citizens, ignoring the existing laws and tools available to address the real problem, which is criminals who go unpunished and who will continue to ignore the law and bounds of society.
Let’s have less rhetoric, focus on criminals, stereotyping people because of some few criminals, and stop vilifying those ethnic groups.
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