My Attitude To Social & Moral Issues In Law
Law has key links to justice which should be open to everyone in the same way. But unfortunately millions worldwide are derived from this fundamental right and sometimes it's got to do with the law itself that at times fails to protect people despite, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states the basic rights and freedoms all human beings are entitled to. Whilst developing my knowledge I read the California v. Brock Allen Turner (2015) case, a criminal case filed in California superior court which convicted Brock Allen Turner of three counts of felony assaults but only resulting in a six months’ sentence.
This is a clear example of the failures of law which neglected to send the message that sexual assault is against the law regardless of social class, race, and gender. This not only affected the lives of an innocent girl, but it also suggests to the world that a crime of sort being let of with such a leninant sentence by world leading country makes it acceptable all around. This highlights the complexity of law which is firmly rooted in many aspects of society hence the reason why I want to persure a career in law. Nonetheless, law opens up a range of debates in such depth and intensity and is one of the many reasons I wish to study law at a degree level. For example, the current most debated topic is gun violence.
The ongoing argument goes on regardless of handguns being banned in the UK since 1997, but citizens are still able to own and shoot some shotguns and rifles with a license. Having seen the atrocity of gun violence in powerful developed countries has really shown the immense impact and the trauma it brings and the reason why I strongly believe it should be banned. My interest in law first flared from my dad’s degree in Pakistani law which got me reading into the broken judicial system of Pakistan where the political parties are ineffective, functioning for decades as instruments of two families, two clans, both corrupt.
Voting in Pakistan is intensely personal, with parties gathering votes primarily through allegiance so consequently, decisions are entirely up to the rich and their needs prioritizing, ignoring and overpowering the poor and minorities. Evidently, Asia Bibi blasphemy case underlines this, where Noreen, a Christian, was involved in an argument with a group of Muslim women with whom she had been harvesting with; the other women grew angry with her for drinking the same water as them. She was accused of insulting the prophet, a charge she denies, and was arrested and imprisoned. In November 2010, a judge sentenced her to death.
As both a Muslim and a Pakistani, I can see the discrimination of minorities in Pakistan and the unjust Asia and many more like her have to face which is one of the many reasons I want to study law to help overcome the inequity and learn the skills necessary to represent people who are oppressed and ignored in society. My A-level courses consist of Biology, Chemistry, and History. The subject that best prepares me to study law through the examination of source material is History. Throughout this course I have developed analytical skills, helping me understand the perspective of others and allowing me to come to a secure conclusion whilst placing a valid argument.
During high school I was awarded the History Award which shows that I have the necessary skills for History, that can overlap into Law. During my History A-level I studied some of the most significant pieces of legislation in history from the Board v. Brown case to the Plessy v. Ferguson both significant in highlighting the continuously changing laws that affect everyone's lives and the justice it has brought about for many over the centuries.
Similarly, with my choice of biology, I am particularly interested in genetics, forensic science and the legal and ethical dilemmas that arise from here. Throughout high school I was chosen to take part in school council for my year group demonstrated to me the process of making such ‘rules’ and event. I believe it helped me to develop my organisational and communication skills, which are essential for a career in law.
Over the summer I took part in a Warwick law summer school which allowed me to have a deeper understanding and help me gain a greater appreciation of social and moral issues. It allowed me to thrive in a subject and debate so passionately about things that I find to be so relevant to everyday life. While doing this I also took part in a mock trial in which I was the persecutor. This was truly informative and helped develop skills that will hopefully make me the excellent potential Lawyer that I aspire to be.
