Public Safety, Privacy, and Justice: Debating Juries and Surveillance

The Jury System: Pros and Cons

In criminal trials, particularly those seen on US TV, we watch juries struggling to decide guilt. However, in reality, some countries use juries while others do not. Are juries a good idea?

Arguments for Professional Judges

On the one hand, there are advantages to leaving important legal decisions to a professional judge. Jurors may not understand some aspects of a trial, such as complex legal arguments or forensic evidence. In addition, they might make hurried decisions because they've been forced to interrupt their lives for a trial and are impatient to return to their jobs and families.

Arguments for Trial by Jury

On the other hand, trial by jury means that defendants are judged by a group of their equals. Jurors are people from the community who are more likely to see things from a human angle than a judge. Moreover, having 12 jurors reduces the chances that a mistake will be made. While one or two might misjudge the evidence, it's unlikely that all 12 will be wrong.

Conclusion on the Jury System

To sum up, although trial by jury is not perfect, I believe that it is the best possible system. It is better to be judged by a group of one's equals than by a judge, no matter how professional he or she may be.

Security Cameras: Public Safety vs. Privacy

Whether we are walking along the street, shopping, or just doing our work, our actions are often recorded. Are security cameras really necessary, or do they invade our privacy?

Concerns About Surveillance

On the one hand, the feeling that there are cameras everywhere can make a person feel uncomfortable. After all, you want to be yourself and not think about who is watching you. Furthermore, you never know in what way the information captured by the cameras will be used.

Benefits of Security Cameras

On the other hand, cameras are there for public safety. Not only do they help the police identify criminals, they are also effective in preventing crime. Moreover, if you are a law-abiding citizen, what have you got to be afraid of? Only people with something to hide should be worried.

Conclusion on Security Cameras

In conclusion, security cameras have drawbacks as well as benefits. Having weighed up both sides of the issue, I believe that on the whole, they are a necessary part of modern life. The common good must come first.