For example Elizabeth L. Angeli, Department of Psychology, State University.
This research was supported in part by a grant from the Sample Grant
Program.
Angeli, Department of English, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 55555
Failure of the US Justice System
Ted Stevens was the longest serving Republican Senator from Alaska. He served six decades in the American Public sector. In 2008, as he was serving his sixth term he was prosecuted in a corruption case. The center piece of charges was “failing to report gifts”. He was prosecuted for bribery and corruption. After his case was started he lost elections with a very low margin.
“He died in a plane crash in 2010 and had been the longest-serving Republican senator in U.S. history, had been charged in 2008 with seven counts of lying on a Senate disclosure form to conceal $250,000 in gifts primarily the improvements to his Alaska home from an Alaska oil executive and other friends (Pelofsky & Vicini, 2012).”
This Justice Department has been widely scrutinized for having a lack of organization in the case. It is claimed that the prosecutors have intentionally concealed evidence that gave an advantage to the Senator. It came to the scene that one of the most significant witness of the trial has sexual relationships with a fifteen years old prostitute.
As it is believed that the concealment of evidence by the prosecutors was an advantage for the Senator. An investigator Henry F. Schuelke presented a 500 page report explained that none of the prosecutors can be prosecuted as criminals on hiding the evidence because the presiding judge Sullivan did not specifically order the prosecutors to obey the law and produce any evidence of such kind during the trial period.
“While Mr. Schuelke did not recommend prosecuting the prosecutors for criminal contempt, he offered “no opinion,” the judge noted, as to whether “one or more of the subject attorneys” might instead be charged with obstruction of justice (Savage, 2011).”
In April 2009, Eric H. Holder, who had just joined his office as an Attorney General. He agreed with the Judge Sullivan that the senator is being tarnished by government lawyers. Holder asked Sullivan that Steven’s convictions have to be vacated. Moreover, the indictments should be dismissed. This case became more than unsuccessful. It is profoundly unjust to use government power against an individual (Introduction to criminal justice: Current perspectives from InfoTrac®, 2011). This clearly proves that it was not a fair trial.
Q: Is it more or less difficult for judges and jurors to evaluate the guilt of public figures than that of typical criminals? Why?
No. It is extremely difficult and cumbersome to prove the guilt of public figures. The reason being that such people who have fame are extremely prone to controversy. They can be heroes or villains at the same time. The public takes more interest in their stories. A person such as an affluent Senator is convicted the outcome becomes more important to the public because their wellbeing and action can affect many lives. Many people are dependent on them along with their decision making. They have typically relationship and socialization with other powerful individuals. Therefore, it is usually difficult to assess the guilt of a public figure.
Q: In your opinion, what does the treatment of Stevens in this case reveal about the way court systems treat public figures?
The above discussion shows that Public figures do not only have fame but they also have support from other powerful people. This also shows that when you compare such a case with the case of an ordinary citizen of the US, there are no perks like the Stevens had being a Senator.
Q: Do you find Stevens guilty or innocent, and why? How would you assess the fairness of his sentence?
There is overwhelming evidence that points toward the guiltiness of the Senator. He accepted many non-disclosed incentives from large corporations like Alaska oil companies and other sources. As a return, he may have allegedly been abusing his powers to grant them favors.
References
Pelofsky, J. & Vicini, J. (2012). Ted stevens prosecutors hid evidence that could have exonerated senator in corruption case. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.google.com.pk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&ved=0CEgQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.nationalpost.com%2F2012%2F03%2F15%2Fted-stevens-prosecutors-hid-evidence-that-could-have-exonerated-u-s-senator-in-corruption-case-report%2F&ei=4TgLU6_RDcPv0gW-34HICg&usg=AFQjCNHfPDnPVANw7Nxys9z52L6zPzBb8A&sig2=fPv0m-BgQ6cjOgkqUeEgNQ&bvm=bv.61725948,d.d2k [Accessed: 24 Feb 2014].
Savage, C. (2011). Log in - the new york times. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/22/us/politics/no-charges-recommended-against-prosecutors-in-ted-stevens-case.html?_r=1& [Accessed: 24 Feb 2014].
Introduction to criminal justice: Current perspectives from InfoTrac®. (2011). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing.
