R. V. Ridgeway's Justice System

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The word democracy derives from the Greek translation, “rule by the people”. There are many forms of democracy, such as representative, direct, social, plebiscitary and deliberate democracy. In democracy, issues are discussed and then decided on a vote. This allows for there to be more power given to the citizens rather than a small elite group. However, Justice plays an important role into a democratic society, as Justice ensures order in a state. The justice system is set out to protect the rights and freedoms of citizens, and property, provide a system of enforcement on these laws, protect society, as well as solve disputes. Without order in a society there is chaos. The highest value of a democratic society is justice, as it reflects the …show more content…

v. Ridgeway, is a serial killer who guilty of committing first degree murder of forty-eight women. In Seattle, Tacoma, over the course of the years 1980 to the late 1990s, Ridgeway raped and murdered, mainly high risk women, such as prostitutes then left their bodies by the Green River. Gary Ridgeway was added to a suspects list for the rape and murder of these women, but was never legally tied to any of the murders with solid evidence. However, in 1997 DNA evidence was legally allowed to be used in court; that was the most important link that closed the case. Ridgeway’s DNA was sampled and matched the DNA deposits on the bodies of his victims. As a result, Ridgeway was convicted of life imprisonment. This case is an example that demonstrated how the legal justice system convicted a person who was committed an indictable offence, which he was then sentenced to a penalty that suited his crime. Although, justice prevailed, particularly with this case raised a concern with the way investigations were handled. The deaths of these women happened over the course of nearly two decades. The goal of the justice system is to protect the citizens, this case is an example of how the justice system has also failed to do. The case was not closed within a timely range, that consisted with an increasing number of

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