Political Considerations in Supreme Court Appointments - Free Paper Example

Answer to Discussion #1

I agree with the idea that political considerations typically play an important role in Supreme Court appointments. This may affect or has affected the overall direction of the court. For instance, it is assumed that Presidents will be inclined to select a nominee whose ideological or political views appear compatible with theirs and appear to rule in their favor resulting in a bias. However, the nominee must be approved by a majority vote from the Senate (McMillion 2). As a result, power is leveled through balances and checks, thereby ensuring that no branch is more powerful than the other.

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Answer to Discussion #2

The Supreme Court justice does not have a retirement age; thus, they remain in office unless demoted due to bad behavior or retirement. I strongly agree with the tabled argument that this needs to be changed as it may cause issues with court cases. For instance, similar individuals in the Supreme Court for several years are not likely to change how they view things resulting in unfair judgments. The judges may decide to judge based on a previous case without reviewing the current one (McMillion 2). I strongly agree with the writer’s suggestion that Supreme Court appointees should have a set term just like the president as this would change the ways and ideas on how the Supreme Court views cases. Expiry of a term would make them make important decisions on rulings due to fears of being replaced or becoming unpopular.

Answer to Discussion #3

I agree with the argument that criminal and criminal trials are negatively affected by media coverage as it creates biased opinions when only one side of the story is aired. Moreover, the outcome of the trial may be affected as it may affect the jury’s decisions. For instance, the jury is likely to vote the defendant guilty if the media's coverage only covers how the defendant can be as seen as guilty. The media may exaggerate a crime by making it seem bigger than it is or by manipulating numbers making the lawmakers believe that there is a surge in crimes, thus the need for tougher measures (Mastrorocco, Nicola, and Minale 5). However, the media is protected by the First Amendment to investigate and film anything done by the government. On the contrary, the media cannot defame anybody or cover issues threatening national security. Therefore, the media has exceptions on what to cover and not cover in criminal and criminal trials.

Answer to Discussion #4

I agree with the fact that traditional media provide a distorted version of crimes within a city with a significant bias towards violence. Most stories concerning crime aired on the news are usually different than how they happened. Social media can cause people to view their world as one filled with crimes all round, causing people to be scared to let their kids interact with their friends or even step out of the house. Crime, just like sports, is spread across social media platforms. I strongly agree with the writer’s opinion most Americans are glued into their phones, trying to find trending news. As a result, social media takes over and controls how people think (Mastrorocco, Nicola, and Minale 5). Americans, the news, and social media value free speech freedom so much; thus, people can comment on what is right to them without backlash except from disagreeing viewers.

Answer to Discussion #5

I strongly concur with the idea that technology can prevent offenders from harming the community through ankle monitors, gunshot location devices, and crime mapping. Devices such as ankle monitors help keep track of offenders while they are in society. There are different types of technology and ways in which technology can scare offenders and keep the community safe. Crime prevention strategies are also in place through public actions, that is, decisions to inform the police, and parochial strategies, such as group actions by neighborhood residents. Besides, there can be a need for individual strategies, including private actions. The writer makes a strong point that the utilization of technology is a good way to help criminals become better members of society and better humans (Bagaric et al., 7). Technology can help detain fewer people in prisons while keeping society members safe as some of them are free. This can help save money, which can be used to educate offenders to become beneficial members of society.

Answer to Discussion #6

I concur with the fact that technology and prisons are essential to effectively incapacitate offenders since hard criminals like rapists and murderers cannot be allowed back into society compared to small crime offenders. Individuals with harsher crimes are preferably safer in prisons, according to society. Technology should only be used if the offenders are willing to comply freely and not forced. Depending on the crime's nature, the government should not forcefully castrate prisoners, especially those with non-serious offenses. Therefore, prisoners should be allowed to make their own choices (Bagaric et al., 7). I strongly agree that individuals with serious offenses should not be allowed back into society as they would jeopardize society's safety.

Works Cited

Bagaric, Mirko, Dan Hunter, and Gabrielle Wolf. "Technological incarceration and the end of the prison crisis." The Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology (1973-) 108.1 (2018): 73-135.

Mastrorocco, Nicola, and Luigi Minale. "News media and crime perceptions: Evidence from a natural experiment." Journal of Public Economics 165 (2018): 230-255.

McMillion, Barry J. Supreme Court Appointment Process: President's Selection of a Nominee. Congressional Research Service, 2017.