Delayed justice is a hidden crisis in our federal justice system
Delayed justice is a hidden crisis in our federal justice system The Hill
sdgtalks
Delayed justice is a hidden crisis in our federal justice system
Introduction
Capitol Hill is buzzing about the serious problems within our federal criminal justice system. The Federal Bureau of Investigations, Department of Justice, and other agencies are under the microscope because of actual and alleged abuses of power, all while Congress begins its yearly appropriations process. But there is another problem hiding in plain sight, one that could get worse without a course correction by Congress. It is delayed justice.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The issue of delayed justice aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – This goal aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
- SDG 5: Gender Equality – Delayed justice can disproportionately affect marginalized groups, including women, who may face additional barriers to accessing justice.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Ensuring timely access to justice helps to reduce inequalities by ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status, have equal opportunities to seek justice.
The Impact of Delayed Justice
This crisis is growing at every stage of the federal justice system, from how long it takes a U.S. Attorney to decide whether to prosecute a case to the time it takes to resolve a guilty plea and complete a jury trial. Victims and defendants alike deserve swift justice. Congress has an opportunity to prevent the wheels of justice from becoming even slower during this year’s appropriations process.
The Backlog of Pending Criminal Cases
The backlog of pending criminal cases in the federal court system has increased by more than a quarter over the past five years even as the number of new arrests and criminal cases filed have declined significantly. This has resulted in lengthy delays in the time it takes to resolve criminal cases. The average criminal case now takes nearly ten months to resolve if there is a guilty plea and more than two years if a trial is required. Many victims and defendants alike go without justice for months or even years.
The Need for Adequate Funding
Congress has a unique opportunity to lead by example and prevent these delays from worsening in the coming years. Both the House and Senate are currently advancing proposals that inadvertently cut the budget for the federal public defense system in ways that could leave it with up to a 5 percent budget shortfall and cause it to have to lay off nearly 500 of its staff. Instead of improving the speed of justice, these proposals would undermine it.
The Importance of Properly Funding the Criminal Justice System
Our criminal justice system is a core government function and properly funding it is not a political preference. Adequately funding all actors ensures that the entire system functions efficiently and effectively. Underfunding public defense not only harms defendants and their attorneys but has negative repercussions that ripple throughout our entire system. It increases how much of our limited jail space is utilized by those awaiting trial, makes prosecutors’ jobs more difficult, increases how long it takes judges to process a case, and delays justice for victims.
The Call to Action
Rather than rush the appropriations process and exacerbate the crisis of delayed justice by cutting public defender funding, Congress should take a close look at this problem and the resources needed to reverse it. We urge members of both the Senate and House to prevent this cut to the federal defenders’ budget from becoming law. A well-funded public defense system is essential to bring violent criminals to justice, protect our Sixth Amendment rights, and help victims move on from the trauma they have experienced.
About the Author
Jeremiah Mosteller is an attorney and criminal justice policy expert who serves as a policy director at Americans for Prosperity and a visiting fellow at the Badger Institute.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article discusses the serious problems within the federal criminal justice system, including delays in the justice process. This aligns with SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
- Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
The article highlights the need for swift justice and the resolution of criminal cases in a timely manner. This aligns with Target 16.3, which focuses on promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice for all. The article also emphasizes the importance of properly funding the federal public defense system to ensure the efficient functioning of the justice system, which relates to Target 16.6 on developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms.
- Indicator 16.6.1: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (or by budget codes or similar), disaggregated by sex, and by type of expenditure.
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, Indicator 16.3.1 can be used to measure progress towards Target 16.3 by assessing the proportion of victims who report their victimization to competent authorities or conflict resolution mechanisms. Indicator 16.6.1 can be used to measure progress towards Target 16.6 by analyzing primary government expenditures, including the funding allocated to the federal public defense system.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. | Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels. | Indicator 16.6.1: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (or by budget codes or similar), disaggregated by sex, and by type of expenditure. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: thehill.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
