One of the basic duties of any government is to seek justice for its citizens and to establish a framework by which individuals held accountable for their actions. Such a framework should allow the accused to face their accusers and have their guilt or innocence considered by a neutral and disinterested third party.
Even a brief peek beneath the surface of the United States’ justice system reveals an institution rife with perverse incentives and rotten to the core from corruption. In just the past month we have seen reports of
- a Nevada cop using civil asset forfeiture to steal almost $90,000 in cash from a man who was charged with no crimes
- a SWAT team in Texas that needlessly caused $50,000 in damage to a home and maimed the family dog of an innocent woman
- the release of a New York man after 16 years in prison on a false rape claim
- A Georgia woman who spent six months in jail for possessing sand that police claimed was cocaine
- The slaying of an 8-year-old girl in Pennsylvania by police, who subsequently charged two teenagers with the murder
These instances are simply the tip of the iceberg. These victims were fortunate to have their plights brought to light. How many more will never be known because the victims are unable or afraid to come forward and reveal their stories of abuse?
