Analysis Of Just Mercy By Bryan Stevenson

“What is Just Mercy?”

Does a thing such as “Just Mercy” exist in this world? Has the concept as such changed throughout history? “Mercy” is defined as the compassion and forgiveness toward someone who could easily be harmed by one. “Just” refers to something that is morally right and fair. From this definition stems the ideas conveyed throughout Bryan Stevenson’s memoir of morality and compassion in the Justice system. Stevenson looks at the flaws within the American Justice System. While the aim of this system is to treat individuals fairly and just, Stevenson enlightens his audience with what the system is behind closed doors. In the present day, Americans should be grateful for the work and trials that Stevenson and his team had endeavored

For example, with the death penalty, law officials are sometimes apathetic to whom received it and are lazy to change the charge. He writes, “The death penalty is not about whether people deserve to die for the crimes they commit. The real question of capital punishment in this country is, Do we deserve to kill?” (27). Throughout his novel, Stevenson unveils his certain ideas regarding the death penalty, and it all leads back to a question of humanity and where morals lie. Some people are not as lucky as others. Consequently, those of whom can’t afford a lawyer are already regarded as guilty as they have no one to protect them. There are also judges and law officials who have previously made their decision against one side, and therefore having bias for the other side, not allowing the one side a chance to prove their story. Stevenson mentions that some people who he called ignored and avoided him and wouldn’t give him a chance to speak his side. Stevenson clarifies

To begin, the ridiculousness of the situation of Walter McMillian represents the opposite of justice. With collusion and lying going around his case, when the truth came out there were obvious measures needed to be taken to fix the awful system. There shouldn’t be official charges of the death penalty without great degrees of evidence to back it up, including DNA, which were not prevalent within Walter McMillian’s case. A second entity to consider when studying the corruption is the placement of juveniles into an adult jail. Those placed there are treated with physical and emotional abuse that a young adolescent should not have to endeavor. Also, those that are under the age of 18 shouldn’t be charged with treatments such as the death penalty or life in prison as their brain isn’t yet fully