Criminal Procedure Analyzed 2 (Raven)
The scriptures that were given definitely fit the three categories given. It is difficult to know when and under what circumstances the Criminal Justice System should be abided by and what should not under biblical principles. In regards to witnesses, according to Deuteronomy 19:15, it changed my view on how the criminal procedure should operate because I always assumed it depended on the reliability of the witness, even if it was one witness. Although, I do understand that we cannot be so sure of the reliability if it is simply one witness. Deuteronomy 17:6 confirmed my views on more than one testimony to put an individual on death row. It has to take more witnesses and definitely a deeper and closer look at evidence before prosecution, especially before any execution. In regards to cross-examination in Proverbs 18:17; the scripture confirmed my views because it is not wise to go off of the one-sided testimony that you first encounter. There is always more to a story than is told. Deuteronomy 19:16-19 confirmed my views because it is a safeguard in case the witness gives a false testimony but, as far as the punishments they did (the individuals in the Old Testament), being done to them? I don’t believe that would have been wise when we are dealing with certain crimes such as rape, and etc. but, I do understand that was the old testaments way of handling situations. I also know that before extreme measures are taken, we must consider the options.
In Deuteronomy 32:35, it states, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.” (NIV)
In regards to physical evidence, Deuteronomy 22:13-18 confirms that physical evidence is the strongest source of evidence. If the girl’s parents didn’t make the effort to go research and obtain the evidence and ultimately the truth then her name would have been scandalized. Exodus 22:12-13 changed and confirmed my views because I do believe physical evidence should be sought after but, what if it truly can’t? That is where I believe witnesses and cross-examinations are needed.
Our current system in dealing with witnesses has a very important strategy which is the victim-witness program. This program helps those victims and witnesses know their rights. When the system is pertaining to cross-examination, the system truly makes sure that justice is served although not always. In order to seek justice, cross-examining the witnesses to make sure they are credible is necessary. Physical evidence within our current system is the best way to prove guilt but considering certain cases, physical evidence is not always available. According to the website of Fox News (although not everything discussed on the news is of truth), a victim by the name of Chelsea King had disappeared but, due to evidence the police had found where Chelsea King was last seen, John Albert Gardner was arrested. The nature of what the evidence specifically was not disclosed but, without that evidence left behind, Chelsea Kings attacker may have still been on the loose, and he also would not have been linked to an earlier sexual crime regarding another female victim. (Fox News, 20120).
Our current system works well in regards to witnesses considering the program mentioned in an earlier paragraph and the system in dealing with cross-examinations are with good intention, sufficient and efficient amount of research, and with unbiased motions. As far as physical evidence, I like to think about how God is unseen but, the evidence that explains His existence and truth is told through His creation, His miracles, and His son Jesus Christ whom lives in us. I do not need physical evidence to be reassured of His existence, whereas in the Criminal Justice system, there would be doubters and maybe even a lesser punishment of a false testimony. I understand that there has to be a difference though, when dealing with sinners (which is all of us) compared to our creator, which actually should be no comparison because He is God!
References:
Deuteronomy 32:35. (1979). In The Holy Bible: New international version. London: Hodder & Stoughton.
Fox News – Breaking News Updates | Latest News Headlines … (2010, March 1). Retrieved June 7, 2015.
Answer the following questions for your thread:
•Did these Scriptures change or confirm your views about how criminal procedure should operate according to each topic?
•How does our current system deal with each topic?
•How could our current system change (or not) to deal with each topic in a more biblical manner?
•Provide at least 1 reference and 1 different Scripture (other than those given above) in support of your post.
Is there a problem with trying to make our system more biblical in nature, with the concept of the separation of church and state?
Responding to a post above requires both the addition of new ideas and analysis. A particular point made be addressed and built upon by your analysis in order to move the conversation forward. Thus, the response post is a rigorous assignment that requires you to build upon initial posts to develop deeper and more thorough discussion of the ideas introduced in the initial posts. As such, reply posts that merely affirm, restate or unprofessionally quarrel with the previous post(s) and fail to make a valuable, substantive contribution to the discussion will receive appropriate point deductions.
Use other sources for your reply post not the ones is given above.
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