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| Lady Justice, Rockingham Court House |
From one perspective, a sting operation of this kind may seem perfectly justified (see extensive front page piece in today's Daily News-Record), especially in cases where it can nab predators who are taking advantage of disempowered individuals as prey, whether they be children, coworkers or street walkers. Choices have consequences, and predators must be brought to justice.
But should such operations be used to indict and publicly name citizens who have had no prior record of the kind of wrongdoings for which they are now presumed guilty--and even before having the benefit of a trial? Or should they be used only to help apprehend people already suspected of being engaged in criminal activity?
Our criminal justice system is by its very nature "tough on crime", and in the case of offenders who persist in wrongdoing, it should be. We should all be outraged over those who shamelessly abuse their power at the expense of the powerless.
But Jesus also teaches us not to be quick to "cast the first stone”. For while few of us may ever have our names listed on the National Sex Offender Registry, none of us is without sin in this area. Whether in word, deed or in X-rated imagination, we have compiled our own record of wrongs.
So let us favor grace, but without resorting to "cheap grace". Let's support forgiveness, but not forgiveness as in "let's pretend this never happened". True forgiveness is in response to a demonstration of a 180-degree about face and a commitment to strict and ongoing accountability of the kind that ensures that everyone is safe, including the former perpetrator.
But without the possibility of redemption, there is no hope for any of us. For in thought, word, or deed, we are all sex offenders.
I agree that this.."a sting operation of this kind may seem perfectly justified" is true. I've yet to see a justification of *this* sting operation.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Nor can I get the media to examine their role in essentially trying individuals in a court of public opinion. And by highlighting particular parts of one person's career implying this might be related to abuse of minors. I am also deeply disturbed by comments on social media that further imply wrongdoing not included in the charges. Given the consequences the actions of police including their decision to release the names, we need an investigation.
ReplyDeleteJayne, the police had no choice but to release the names under Virginia law. The media, however, didn't have to publish them.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it's time to give restorative justice a try.
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"But should such operations be used to indict and publicly name citizens who have had no prior record of the kind of wrongdoings for which they are now presumed guilty--and even before having the benefit of a trial? Or should they be used only to help apprehend people already suspected of being engaged in criminal activity?"
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with the details of this particular case, but usually these two groups are the same - those potentially innocent neighbors are, indeed, already suspected of being engaged in criminal activity. That's why they've been caught up in the sting. The quoted paragraph - unless I misunderstand it - strikes me as a false dichotomy.
Overall, I'm somewhat uncertain of what exactly you're trying to convey in this post. Some of the comments seem to take it as an overall call for more delicacy, and perhaps even secrecy, in sex offender cases. There's very strong language on behalf of innocent offended, but also language that is sometimes used to silence those same innocent offended, who are surprisingly often told that since "in thought, word, or deed we are all sex offenders" there is no need for public outcry and accountability, or for lamentation of what was taken by the actions of others.
http://www.snapnetwork.org/va_support_group_hears_from_others_hurt_by_university_official
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