Shakari Paige

04/12/2016
Walter Dean Myers
Monster
is about a boy named Steve being on trial for the murder
of Alguinaldo Nesbitt. Taking place in the state of New York in Manhattan. While on
trial Steve goes through the process of judging himself and his character. Through this
book, we saw the many flaws the criminal justice system has from the perspective of a
civilian. Similarly, the book shows the many flaws of the criminal justice system
through the perspective of lawyers and those on the inside. We have to make it our
responsibility to ensure that the criminal justice system works out all its flaws and
serves justice equally.
The theme Ive chosen, flaws in the criminal justice system helps support my argument
by saying that there are in fact flaws that the criminal justice system coming from the
perspective of a citizen. In the text it states,Do you think I should have got a black
lawyer? She asked. Some people in the neighborhood said I should have contacted a
black lawyer. (pg:146) This evidence shows that Mrs. Harmon was starting to second
guess her choice of getting a lawyer not of the same race as Steve, and how they
people in the neighborhood were saying she should have got a black lawyer. In the
story Mrs. Harmon starts believing that there are flaws in the criminal justice system
because she feels like she should have hired a lawyer the same race as Steve as if Ms.
OBrien wasnt defending him as good as someone the same race as Steve would have.
The theme Ive chosen helps support my argument by saying that there are flaws in
the criminal justice system from the perspective of someone on the inside like a lawyer,
cop, or judge. In the text it states, Ladies and gentleman, in the beginning if this case
the prosecutor spoke of monsters. She not only found them but she has brought them
here to testify for the State. (pg:243) This evidence shows Mr. Briggs calling out
Miss Petrocelli for accusing King and Steve of being monsters but bringing in
monsters to further prove her own case to the jury. In the story Mr.Briggs is
pointing out a flaw in the criminal justice system with Miss Petrocelli saying a
negative thing to prove her case but using that so called negative thing alongside her
case to make her case look better and against the other to make them look bad.
While some people would agree that the criminal justice system has many flaws, some
may argue that sure the criminal justice system has flaws but thats worked for the
long time period that the system has been around why second guess it now. However,
what is flawed in this argument is even though the criminal justice system has had
flaws since the start there isnt a real reason standing in the way of why we cant
address them and make appropriate changes to the criminal justice system. This
further supports my argument by showing how there isnt really anything stopping us
from fixing the flaws that are apparent in the criminal justice system, and making
justice someone that is equally served from the inside or outside point of view.

As said in the beginning we have to make it our responsibility to ensure that the
criminal justice system works out all its flaws and serves justice equally. No matter if
its flaws from a citizen's point of view, like whether or not a lawyer is a better
representation of the defendant because of their race. In addition, if its from a lawyer
pointing out how another lawyer can say something is bad then turn around and use it
as a good thing toward their own case to make the others look bad.