Michael Rehkop

Ms. Wilson
HELA 10
16 February, 2016
Unjust Justice System
With liberty and justice for all. The last line of the Pledge of Allegiance may be
deceptive as of recent years. America has about 2 million prisoners, and it is believed that around
100,000 of them are completely innocent people, although it could be many more (Sachs). This
injustice also goes side by side by the racism in this nation. A large percentage of the prisoners in
America are minorities. Contrary to popular belief, the justice system is corrupt and needs to be
reformed, the main issues are corrupt lawyers and judges, and major racial profiling, and the
justice system needs to be regulated in reformed by the government.
Many of the key professions in the United States justice system have been filled by
people in search of money opposed to true justice for those involved. Judges are currently elected
into their position by the public, however some judges have some unfair advantages. Some large
companies or businessmen will invest large sums of money into a judges campaign in order to
influence the court system. Many of these judges end up winning due to popularity and larger
campaigns than other candidates (Sarokin). Another important position is the lawyers involved in
the case. There are multiple issues involving the lawyers of America. Some include bribing
lawyers with cash payouts to sway the jury more towards their argument. Other lawyers dont
really care about the outcome of the trial for their client as long as they receive a check with their
name on it. The corruption of the main positions in a judicial trial is a major issue in America.
Americas a majority of the legal system and the police force show some signs of racial
profiling. One out of every thirty six of african americans are imprisoned (DiMare). However,
its not just blacks but all minorities being targeted. Around 75% of Americas police force is

Michael Rehkop
Ms. Wilson
HELA 10
16 February, 2016
white (Park). Even though the public doesnt want to believe it, white prejudice is present in the
police force. Racism will never truly disappear in this nation, but its important to try and bring
justice to the minorities of America. Opposing sides may argue that American courts imprisons
everyone, not just minorities. The criminal justice system is not racist because the evidence fails
to prove that racism is present in all parts of the system during all steps of the criminal justice
process(Wilbanks). This is incorrect because of the enormous numbers of minorities in jail and
amount of minorities arrested compared to whites. The public needs to help bring more support
to the ending of racial profiling in the justice system for a more fair and just nation.
The only way to bring an end to the injustices in our courts is to reform and regulate the
system. Many ideas are present on how to do so but most have little to know backing by the
government or the public. All judges should be fully transparent to the public and members
involved in the case. All relationships and history with anyone involved should be none. Also, all
lawyers should not receive pay until after the trial and only if the client deems the lawyer did
satisfactory work. Police officers should be forced to wear body cams at all times while on duty
to ensure safe and fair treatment occurs in the field. The only way the United States will cut
down on imprisonments and unfair trials is if it enforces more rules and regulations on the
system itself. A change must be made in order to bring justice back into the justice system.
Finally, America is almost notorious for its questionable legal process. One of the core
directives of the bill of rights is the legal process and its necessity in the nation. Americas legal
system needs to be reformed, the main issues are corrupt lawyers and judges, and major racial

Michael Rehkop
Ms. Wilson
HELA 10
16 February, 2016
profiling, and the justice system needs to be regulated in reformed by the government. The
statistics are staggering and the stories of real victims prove that America has corruption and the
public needs to recognize it. It is time to put justice back into the courts of America.

Michael Rehkop
Ms. Wilson
HELA 10
16 February, 2016

Works Cited
Sachs, Les. "Americas Corrupt Legal System." Global Research. Center for Research on
Globalization, 30 Aug. 2015. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.
DiMare, Carla. "We Need Criminal and Civil Justice Reform." Huffington Politics. Huffington
Post, 13 Aug. 2015. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.
Park, Hayeoun. "The Race Gap in Americas Police Departments." New York Times. New York
Times, 8 Apr. 2015. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.
Wilbanks, William. "Is the Criminal Justice System Racist?" CliffsNotes. Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt, 5 Feb. 2014. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.
Sarokin, Lee. "For Sale -- Going Fast: An Independent Judiciary -- Buy a Judge Today."
Huffington Politics. Huffington Post, 7 Oct. 2014. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.