Over the last decade, crime has been decreasing, yet the adults convicted of felonies have been increasing. This is an odd trend. In such a nonsensical situation, I would put forth that; perception may play a large part in massive conviction rates.
If an abundance of violent crime has taken place in months surrounding the trial, many times there is a backlash from the general public. The idea formulates that a change needs to be made.People are not going to tolerate crime any longer. It is at those points when we see Juries seeking out stronger convictions, sending messages and making points. When society is relatively calm, sentencing and Jury decisions seem to validate this trend by becoming less extreme.
Society is goal oriented in the criminal justice system, as they are with all things. Protect the family, provide and accumulate. If a criminal is out there in their midst, how can they protect the family? If their security is being stolen, how can they accumulate and provide? Cultural norms seem to always dictate what we view as criminal, how we convict and prosecute those crimes. The prevailing winds of change affect criminals as relentlessly as it affects us all.
Until tomorrow. Fortune favors the brave! Samantha Shu
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