June 25, 2008

Please note that I am doing this side of this question for fun. No offence to those who disagree. I, personally agree more with the opposing side that I will argue with but hey, I like challendges! A question that has really been bothering me is " Should those who have a mental or physical disorder have special priviledges when in court?" I believe that They shouldn't. Number one, there are always cases where one who committed a crime has pretended to be disabled. When a doctor is to test on whether a person is mentally disabled, it is all based on what the person says as a reply. It is you to is required to tell the truth. However, if you really understand what the doctor is asking, you are always able to pretend to have mental disability. Another proof of this, more for the physical disability side, is Hospital addiction symdrome. Also called Munchausen syndrome. This is where one fakes the need to go to the hospital.

Point number two, these people have rights too. I know that you may say these people deserve the right to be graded lighter, but these people, like how you said, are people to. They deserve to be judged equally. In the court, all people should look the same in our eyes. We shouldn't judge them any different. You should give them the set punishment for the crim they commited. Not doing so is not only a sign of disrepect, but also a sign of a loop hole in justice.

Point three, if we let the criminal have a lighter punishment, then won't they go and do it again? Keep in mind that even though you may be mentally and /or physically disabled, there are cases where you still can think and understand what is going on around you. If someone was to get a light punishment than others, they can leave thinking 'Hey, I just commited a crime and got away with the real punishment. What difference would it make if i do it again. I'm disabled so I get a special privaledge." Like i said earlier, the court shouldn't leave any loop holes, the right punishment must be given to the right crime.

I hope that this has provoked some thought.

Sincerely,
Harmony Yuan