Let's be clear right from the start, so there's no question: no one should ever have to be a victim of sexual violence, and those who have been victimized deserve justice.
That proposition, though, does not justify tossing out our commitment to giving every person in this country the same rights under the law—the same rights to due process, the same rights to legal representation, the same rights to justice. It's much harder to defend the rights of accused sex offenders than it is to defend those of their accusers. As Aaron Sibarium points out in a recent Common Sense article, though, if we don't, we risk turning this country into a “totalitarian nightmare.”
The Problem
Sibarium reports on a growing movement on the Left to enforce a point-of-view and a set of values every bit as rigid as that of the far-Right. Where once censorship and book banning were the exclusive province of religious fundamentalists, today progressives in Seattle have no qualms about purging To Kill a Mockingbirdfrom school reading lists.
One of the most disturbing aspects of what Sibarium terms an “illiberal ideology” is its effect on the American justice system. As Sibarium notes, a growing number of judges and attorneys seem willing to discard fundamental Constitutional principles long held sacred, such as the right to legal representation and the right to a presumption of innocence, as long as doing so will forward a progressive agenda. When it comes to sexual offenses, for example, we must believe every accuser, no matter what the costs.
The Consequences
What are those costs, though?
- In a practical sense, when we give up on basic protections for defendants, we accept the notion that it's OK to punish innocent people as long as we make sure no criminal ever goes free. That's exactly the opposite of what the framers of the Constitution intended when they created the American judicial system.
- More alarmingly, we allow ideology to dictate justice. That's an enticing idea as long as our own ideology is the one in power. Might, though, should never make right, even if we're the ones who have the might.
- Finally, we also give up on the very notion of justice. When we favor one side over another, justice can never be entirely fair.
These consequences are already in play on high school and college campuses. When it comes to Title IX and other sexual misconduct offenses, students are frequently treated as guilty the moment they're accused - they don't have to be found guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt” to be punished, and mob rule sometimes dictates hearing outcomes.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento Can Help
Just because your school has accused you of sexual misconduct doesn't mean you're guilty. You're entitled to a strong defense, just like anyone else.
Joseph D. Lento is a defense attorney, but he's not just any attorney. Joseph D. Lento has dedicated his career to protecting student rights. He's helped hundreds of students across the United States defend themselves from all types of allegations. Joseph D. Lento knows the law. He also knows how schools operate. He knows they favor accusers, and he's determined to level the playing field. Joseph D. Lento does everything in his power to make sure you're treated fairly and that you get the justice you deserve.
Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686 or use our automated online form.
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