Write An Essay On The Changes You Have Observed Since Y

Write An Essay Of The Changes That You Have Observed Since Your Childh

Write an essay of the changes that you have observed since your childhood in the way crime and justice is portrayed in the media. Discuss which changes you see as positive and which ones you feel are negative and the reasons for your view. As part of your essay discuss whether you feel that the media today more often promote crime control or due process goals. Write up a list of criminal justice memorial policies and note the characteristics of the persons and events they memorialize and the policies they established. Discuss what the characteristics of the crimes and victims say about criminality and crime in America and what the resulting policies suggest as a general philosophy of criminal justice.

Paper For Above instruction

The portrayal of crime and justice in the media has undergone significant transformations since childhood, reflecting broader societal changes, technological advancements, and evolving perspectives on law enforcement and the legal system. These changes have influenced public perception, policy formulation, and the social understanding of criminality. This essay explores these developments, examining their positive and negative aspects, and analyzes whether contemporary media tends to favor crime control or due process principles. Additionally, it provides an overview of influential criminal justice memorial policies, their characteristics, and what they reveal about American attitudes towards crime, victims, and justice

Introduction

Media plays a crucial role in shaping societal views on crime and justice. During childhood, the images of law enforcement, criminals, and justice were often romanticized or simplified, predominantly through television shows, movies, and news reports. The portrayal of justice has evolved from simplistic notions of good versus evil to more nuanced and complex representations that reflect societal debates about criminality, civil liberties, and societal safety. This evolution affects not only public perceptions but also influences criminal justice policies and practices.

Changes in Media Portrayal of Crime and Justice

One key change observed over the years is the shift from dramatized, black-and-white representations of justice to more realistic and sometimes sensationalized portrayals. In the early days, media often depicted law enforcement as infallible heroes combating clearly identifiable villains, which fostered trust in the criminal justice system. Modern portrayals, however, frequently highlight flaws within the system, such as wrongful convictions, police misconduct, and systemic bias. For example, crime shows like "Dragnet" or "The Untouchables" primarily depicted police as virtuous and efficient, whereas contemporary series like "Law & Order" and "Making a Murderer" portray a more complex picture that includes ethical dilemmas and systemic criticism.

Another significant change is the increased emphasis on the lives and motives of offenders, often providing psychological backgrounds or socioeconomic contexts that contribute to criminal behavior. This shift reflects a more sophisticated understanding of criminality versus earlier simplistic portrayals of evil. Additionally, the rise of 24-hour news cycles and social media has amplified the coverage of crime, often leading to sensationalism, which can distort public perceptions by emphasizing rare or extreme cases.

Positive and Negative Aspects of These Changes

The increased realism and critical perspective in media portrayals are positive as they foster a more informed society that understands crime as a complex social phenomenon rather than a binary struggle between good and evil. Such portrayals can promote empathy towards offenders, highlight injustices, and stimulate debate about criminal justice reforms. Furthermore, portraying systemic flaws can lead to public support for policies aimed at fairness and civil rights, as emphasized by movements advocating for police accountability and criminal justice reform (Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990).

Conversely, sensationalism and fearmongering represent significant negatives. The exaggerated focus on violent crimes and erroneous narratives about crime statistics can create moral panic, increase fear, and justify harsh punitive policies. Such media-driven fear often results in the stigmatization of minority communities, supports for draconian laws, and erosion of civil liberties, exemplified by policies like mandatory minimum sentences and the War on Drugs (Simon, 2007).

Media's Promotion of Crime Control vs. Due Process

Contemporary media tends to promote crime control goals more often than due process principles. Crime control emphasizes swift, certain, and harsh responses to crime to ensure societal safety, often reflected in media narratives that celebrate vigilantism, aggressive policing, or tough-on-crime policies. For instance, news coverage of police crackdowns or immigration enforcement tends to reinforce the idea that strict measures deter crime. Conversely, due process advocates for fairness, legal safeguards, and protecting individual rights, which frequently receive less media attention or are portrayed as obstacles to effective policing. This imbalance influences public opinion and supports policies that favor increased law enforcement authority over civil liberties (Reiner, 2010).

Criminal Justice Memorial Policies and Their Characteristics

Memorial policies in criminal justice serve to honor victims, commemorate significant events, and reinforce societal values. Examples include the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, which honors fallen officers, and the September 11 memorials that commemorate victims of terrorist attacks. Most memorials focus on individuals who exemplified service, sacrifice, or tragic victimization, embodying virtues such as bravery, innocence, or national unity. Policies established in their aftermath often aim to enhance law enforcement safety, promote victim rights, or prevent similar tragedies.

For instance, the Victim Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 aimed to acknowledge victims' dignity and rights, reflecting a societal shift toward victim-centered justice. Similarly, the National Law Enforcement Memorial not only honors fallen officers but also symbolizes the societal value placed on law enforcement personnel. These memorials and policies underscore a collective desire to remember, honor, and learn from past events, shaping a national narrative about justice and sacrifice (Miller, 2016).

Characteristics of Crimes, Victims, and Policy Implications

The characteristics of crimes and victims often reveal underlying social attitudes. High-profile violent crimes, especially those involving children or vulnerable populations, tend to elicit strong emotional responses and lead to policies favoring tougher sentencing and preventive measures. Conversely, crimes seen as less sensational may receive less attention, influencing the allocation of resources. The victimization of marginalized communities often results in policies that either neglect these groups or disproportionately target them through surveillance and policing tactics, reflecting systemic biases and societal inequalities (Western & Pettit, 2010).

Overall, the policies that emerge from public reactions to certain crimes and victims reveal a broader societal philosophy. When policies emphasize punishment over prevention, retribution over rehabilitation, it suggests a punitive attitude rooted in moral condemnation. Conversely, policies promoting social services and early intervention indicate a more rehabilitative and systemic perspective. The balance of these approaches shapes American criminal justice, oscillating between punitive and restorative ideals, influenced heavily by media portrayals and societal values (Tyler, 2011).

Conclusion

Changes in media portrayal of crime and justice since childhood reflect evolving societal understandings, technological developments, and cultural attitudes. While some advancements foster greater awareness and fairness, others contribute to fear and injustice. The tendency of media today to promote crime control over due process influences public opinion and criminal justice policies, often emphasizing toughness over fairness. Memorial policies reflect societal values of sacrifice, heroism, and remembrance, shaping the collective narrative of justice. Ultimately, understanding these dynamics is essential for fostering an informed, balanced approach to crime and justice that upholds both safety and civil liberties in America.

References

• Gottfredson, M. R., & Hirschi, T. (1990). A General Theory of Crime. Stanford University Press.
• Reiner, R. (2010). The Politics of the Police. Oxford University Press.
• Simon, J. (2007). Governing through Crime: How the War on Crime Transformed American Democracy and Created a Culture of Fear. Oxford University Press.
• Western, B., & Pettit, B. (2010). Incarceration & social inequality. Daedalus, 139(3), 25-36.
• Miller, D. (2016). Victims and victimization. Routledge.
• Tyler, T. R. (2011). Why People Obey the Law: Motivations and Dynamics of Authority and Social Norms. Princeton University Press.
• Harcourt, B. E. (2006). Against Prediction: Profiling, Policing, and Punishing in an Actuarial Age. University of Chicago Press.
• Soss, J., & Shapiro, R. Y. (2009). Racial disparities in criminal justice: Cause or consequence of social inequality? The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 623(1), 13-37.
• Austin, J., & Dwyer, R. (2010). Policing and Crime Control. In T. Newburn (Ed.), The Routledge Handbook of Crime and Society. Routledge.
• Walker, S. (2012). The Color of Justice: Race, Ethnicity, and Crime in America. Wadsworth Publishing.