Rethinking the Criminal Justice System – Protecting People and the Planet
Towards an Environmentally Conscious Criminal Justice System
According to PHYS ORG, Associate Professor Sjarai Lestrade is exploring a new idea for how the criminal justice system could work. She thinks it’s time to focus more on protecting not just people but also the environment. She’s questioning whether our current laws which mainly focus on people are good enough for dealing with issues like pollution and sustainability.
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Wide Approach in the Criminal Justice System. (PHOTO: Super Lawyers)
Wide Approach in the Criminal Justice System
In her research, Lestrade talks about how the criminal justice system could start caring more about everyone’s interests not just individuals. She gives examples of how some laws already do this like laws that protect everyone’s safety. She also explains how changing the system could mean punishing actions that harm the environment even if they don’t hurt people right away. Lestrade also suggests some big changes like giving animals and nature the right to be part of criminal cases. This idea raises a lot of questions whether animals can be seen as victims of crimes. She says it’s important for experts from different fields to talk about these ideas and decide if they could work in the criminal justice system.
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