Flaws In The Criminal Justice System

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Pages: 4

There is a common saying that actions speak louder than words. Yet, the root of many people’s actions seems to be unknown. While it makes sense that a person’s actions are determined by their cognitive consciousness, that is not always the case with biology. Sometimes, people are affected by things they cannot control. They could have brain abnormalities that could change the way they think and the actions they take. The simple difference between the size and shape of their frontal lobes could ignite aggressive behavior, perhaps to the extent where one takes criminal action. Brain research has found evidence of common distinctions between the brain of a criminal and that of anyone else. This evidence could be used to alter the structure of the criminal justice system. Although changes should definitely be implemented into the current …show more content…
It is used to facilitate “the pathway to better understanding of human behavior in order to regulate it accurately through incorporating neuroscience achievements in legal studies” (Petoft). With neurolaw as an emerging field, the government is gaining a more detailed understanding of the science behind human behavior. This knowledge could potentially lead to a completely redesigned legal justice system. Currently, neurolaw is often used to justify insanity defense cases. The insanity defense is used when a defendant claims “that they did not understand what they were doing; failed to know right from wrong; acted on an uncontrollable impulse or some variety of these factors” while committing his or her crime (“Insanity Defense”). If the defense is successful, defendants may be found not guilty or guilty with a lighter sentence. The issue with the insanity plea is that it is unclear whether or not these assertions of insanity are honest. Neurolaw could clarify these claims of insanity and change the structure of the criminal justice