The issue of racism is one that has attracted a lot of discussion and scrutiny, especially in law. Playing the race card in a criminal trial is not only misleading, but it is also the wrong way to address the issue. The fact that it is being referred to as ‘playing the race card' means that it is used for an improper purpose. When defence attorneys appeal to the potential racist sentiments of African American jurors, they influence the outcome of the case based on non-existent facts (Murray, 2004). The result of court cases is supposed to be based on reason built upon presented facts. When the defense attorney plays the race card, they hinder the ability of jurors to make decisions that are based on logic.
To a great extent, the use of the race card in a criminal trial is a form of misconduct. Playing the race card is a form of misrepresentation that can attract criminal charges (Lat, 2017). It is also misleading the court of law, which by itself is a criminal offense. When an attorney plays the race card, he or she is giving false evidence which could qualify as perjury (Wolfram, 1977). The attorney is presenting an argument based on false evidence. Such actions are a form of misconduct, especially in a court of law.
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Judges should be quick to point out and even condemn actions that play the race card as a way to sway the opinion of the jurors in their favor. If such activities are not discouraged, the integrity of the judiciary as an institution may be compromised. Falsifying information or misrepresentation should have no place in a courtroom. Defense attorneys should rely on factual data and present tangible evidence to present their case. Furthermore, playing the race card in the courtroom undermines the importance or the weight of racism. It makes it hard for the authorities to act or jury to make a judgment on cases that involve actual racism because they are having a hard time differentiating genuine racism from pretense.
References
Lat, D. (2017, October 3). A Law Student Plays the Race Card - And Gets Busted, Big Time. Retrieved October 20, 2019, from https://abovethelaw.com/2011/05/a-law-student-plays-the-race-card-and-gets-busted-big-time/.
Murray, J. M. (2004). White Ritual & Black Magic: Playing the Race Card. Litig. , 31 , 13.
Wolfram, C. W. (1977). Client Perjury. S. Cal. L. Rev. , 50 , 809.
