The United States' practice of capital punishment is inseparably associated with the wrongs in their Justice system. The 2015 memoir ‘Just Mercy’ by Bryan Stevenson was the foundation of the film Just Mercy. It focuses on one of Stevenson’s clients who was wrongly convicted. Walter McMillian is a black man from rural Alabama charged with the death penalty for killing a white woman (Cretton, 2019). The film illustrates the unending racism rooted in the criminal justice system, as witnessed in the final hearing from Stevenson. Instead of focusing on the restoration approach, the system is concentrated on stringent punishment with unquestionable prejudice towards the poor, minority populations, mentally disturbed, and racial bias. Thus, Just Mercy is based on a true story that aims to set viewers' sense of injustice fiery and yearns for change.
Though the film was developed nearly three decades ago, it has significantly impacted the Criminal Justice System. It creates awareness regarding the history of racial stereotypes and injustices in the U.S justice system. It thus calls for attention and the need for justice reforms. Mr. McMillian's case is evidence of the nation's disinterest in innocence arguments in the legal system. Therefore, the film is more inclined to expose a judicial system that is hell bent on moral customs than providing justice. Stevenson struggled to fight for McMillian amidst racism, intimidation, and wrongdoing. He is a lawyer who chose to counsel inmates who had been illegally or unfairly sentenced, abused in state jails, and individuals who could not afford an effective representation (Cretton, 2019). Stevenson also defended individuals who had been denied a fair trial, which resulted in McMillian's conviction to be overturned after six years on death row for an offense he had not committed. Stevenson thus proved witnesses had been forced to lie, which shows how America's racial inclinations had affected the justice system hence assuming people of color were always guilty.
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Consequently, the show has changed the face of policing as they play a critical role in the sentencing of an offender. First, McMillian was unlawfully arrested, yet further investigation should have exonerated him. When word got out that Stevenson was opening up old wounds, intimidations began. A police officer held him at gunpoint in a traffic stop. The same people who are meant to protect the public take part in harassing them. Such police brutality and harassment have been witnessed today. However, Stevenson's decision is unwavering, and he refuses to give up on the case. Had the police been honest and conducted a thorough investigation, then McMillian would not have been convicted.
The public is now aware that many people, and not just Mr. McMillian, have been tried and unfairly convicted. Worst many have been sentenced to the death penalty or imprisonment without parole for crimes they did not commit. Without enough resources to get a good representation, then the poor and marginalized end up wrongfully convicted. The film thus moves many citizens to be against the death sentence for the humanity of a person is greater than the worst crimes they have committed.
The impact of the show has been positive on the public. It has ignited meaningful conversations about reforming and addressing the inequalities in the justice system and human rights. It was positioned as a catalyst for people to rethink how they treat accused and convicted persons. In a broken judicial system, there is a need for policy change, mercy, and redemption. A person who committed a crime, no matter how grave, is still worth redeeming.
Reference
Cretton, D. D. (2019) IMDB. Just Mercy https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4916630/
