Convicted criminals can face social stigmas and repercussions, and in the case of Sylvester Jiles, fear of violent retribution. Mr. Jiles, after begging to be readmitted to custody following his release from prison, tried to break into a county jail after police officers denied his request. This surprised many people, including criminal attorneys.
When a person commits a crime, they probably are not thinking of the possible cycle of violence or criminal acts that they could be setting off. However, family and friends of victims of crime have been known to seek their own vigilante retribution, going below the law. However, this is revenge, not justice. No matter how much an individual deserves to be punished, one cannot take the law into his/her own hands. If they do, then they will be the ones needing to seek a criminal defense attorney.
The case of Mr. Jiles shows the terrible chaos that could ensue in a state of lawlessness and raises questions of unfair treatment by law enforcement officials of convicted criminals. If Mr. Jiles had not been convicted of manslaughter after accepting a plea deal in 2007, would law enforcement officials have taken his concerns more seriously? Or are more rehabilitation programs needed to help people, such as Mr. Jiles, when they are released? What is clear is that we cannot live without the law. The criminal justice system not only prevents crime but protects those who have been convicted of crimes through providing justice through a court system and experienced criminal attorneys instead of letting every man fight for himself Old West style.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36000255/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/
