Article May 20, 2002 Issue

Finding JUSTICE

By Dave Hohle Sentinel staff

"Life isn't fair." It's a pretty common statement, and too often true. But why isn't life fair? Why do we see so much evidence of imperfect justice and uneven enforcement? Why do we need conferences such as the one held in April at Harvard Law School entitled, "Wrongful Convictions: A Call to Action"?

It's pretty clear that our systems of law don't ensure justice. As a matter of fact, history affords plenty of evidence that the law can actually deprive people of justice. One such example is the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. It was conducted according to the law, but impelled by inferior motives—hatred and jealousy.

One morning a few years ago, I reported for jury duty. I had never before served on a jury, and I listened carefully as they prepared us to be impartial in our fulfillment of this civic duty. Within about an hour, I was impaneled on a jury of 14 citizens (12 jurors and 2 alternates) and assigned to hear a case.

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