On U.S. Justice

The U.S. Justice system was established under Article III of the U.S. Constitution, as the third independent branch of government. 

1. There are 94 U.S. District Courts at which Federal cases are first adjudicated.

2. There are 13 Courts of Appeal which hear and rule on cases brought before it from the District Courts.

3. Finally, the Supreme Court, the ultimate and last resort in Federal cases, may choose to take up matters with broad constitutional implications or special interests. The 9 justices are appointed for life by the sitting President and confirmed by the Senate. The Supreme Court can hear state cases only if the state’s appeals have been exhausted and there are constitutional implications.

Our system of justice is comprehensive and intended to ensure consistency with the constitution, to protect the rights of all citizens and be independent of political pressure and special interest prerogatives.

Justice in America is second to none – – – but it is, too often, agonizingly SLOW. Cases typically take years to adjudicate. It is vital to ensure every citizen is adequately represented, that the defense has ample time to research the case thoroughly, has time for discovery and to prepare for trial. This is all good but too often this seems to take way too much time and cost way too much money. (Just one man’s opinion)   I am not advocating a rush to judgement but, at least today, with our sophisticated technology and with the amazing speed and reach of Artificial Intelligence, things can and should move ahead more rapidly and without jeopardizing the people’s right for fair and just treatment.

A federal criminal case typically takes 7 to 20+ months to resolve.

The recent case of Luigi Mangione, who is  accused of murdering the United Healthcare president on December 4th 2024, is yet to be tried. But the act of shooting the man in the back was plainly video taped. It was clearly unprovoked and premeditated  There can be no question of guilt, so why have we taken already 21 months footsing around and expended God knows how much on this case?

Once convicted it often takes decades for the sentence to be carried out. There was one case of a convict on death row for 50 years – – – and then acquitted!! It is good to ensure the innocent are not unjustly convicted and certainly not unjustly executed, but the time expended to ensure justice seems excessive in so many cases.

There was the 1800s inheritance case of Myra Gaines that required 57 years to be resolved! The 1981 case of the Hillside Stranglers required 2 years to resolve. The McMartin Preschool trial took 7 years. The list goes on.

Many are against capital punishment and I respect that, but personally, anyone who kills, maims or violates another, especially when innocent children or women are involved, does not deserve to live among the law abiding. and neither should they be entitled to many years of incarceration watching TV at the expense of hard working taxpayers. 

The cost of incarcerations varies widely between states and facilities. In State prisons, which house 85-90% of all convicts (usually convicted of more violent and property crimes) the cost per inmate is typically $60-65,000 per year. In Federal prisons around $44,000. in Massachusetts it can be as much as $300,000 per year per inmate, mainly due to declining numbers and high state costs!

Total government expenditures for all facilities is over $400 billion per year.

One has to earn the right to be a part of civilized society, and law abiding taxpayers should not be obliged to pay for those convicted of crimes against society.

– – – – Just the view of a common man