There’s been a significant amount of legislation passed into law based on honoring crime victims in Tennessee. Some of these include the examples I listed above, which include Amelia’s Law, the Kelsey Smith Act, and Erin’s Law. There are many more to include the Channon Christian and Chris Newsom Acts, Victim’s Rights Photo Act, Mabry Kate Webb Act, and Dustin’s law, even though this particular legislation has been delayed being passed into law.
Honored victims are not always human; they can include animals as well. Although the T-Bo Act was passed more than ten years ago, it involved the death of a Tennessee Senator’s Shih Tzu named T-Bo (Animal Legal, 2017). The State of Tennessee honored this pet’s death, caused by another
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This potential law will allow those drivers under the influence of methamphetamine to face vehicular homicide charges (Graves, 2017).
The nature of the victim’s situation seems to be the amount of attention giving to them as compared to the past (Karmen, 2015). Historically, the defendant was provided with the bulk of attention from the many different media outlets (Karmen, 2015). Investigating the defendant’s background and theorizing possible motives to commit the crime as well as what possible punishments may be imposed was good for business (Karmen, 2015). However, as of late, the media has a newfound love for bringing much attention to the victim and covering their story (Karmen, 2015). The media had directly changed the nature of the victim’s situation (Karmen, 2015). By including their story, it brings the incident full circle and seems to be a recipe for success in pleasing the readers and viewers as well as maintaining peak interest as the case unfolds (Karmen, 2015). This platform provides a direct line of communication with the people to express their side and possibly influence changes in society and the criminal justice system (Karmen, 2015). This change in media attention does not always receive the support of the victim or their family & friends. There are many who feel the media sensationalizes the story only for personal gain and presents documentation to the public without regard to personal feelings of the victims and
When considering all the different types of victims out there, it is important to keep in mind the hardships they experienced to be labeled a victim. Although victims may come out the situation stronger, so victims still prefer to keep the crime to themselves. We like to think to ourselves, “Why would someone keep a crime amongst themselves?” A victim may have had a horrific past experience with law enforcement and feel they would be unsuccessful or not take the situation seriously. The victim may think the crime could be better handle personally, or that the crime is a personal matter. There is also the possibility of the victim feeling they
“Nearly as many, 68 percent, were concerned or very concerned about the well-being of animals used in ‘sports’ or contests as well as animals in laboratories (67 percent) (Kretzer, 1).” Many people question whether an animal is capable of thought and emotions. Others feel as though animals are the equivalent of humans and should be treated as such. Since the 1800’s, animal rights has been a topic that has several different sides including two extremes. If animals can react to their environment, emote, and are aware of things done to or with them, then they should have similar rights to humans.
imal abuse has been an issue since the 12th century when dogs and cats were commonly found roaming the streets. Today it has become an ever growing issue which ranges from household pets to farm animals such as cows, chickens, horses. Animal abuse also is not just in America, such as bullfighting in Spain which began many centuries ago as a sacrifice to the gods. Is still practiced today as a form of entertainment. This kind of behavior does not seem right in our everyday life and just seems wrong because animals should be treated with kindness and not hatred.
High profile cases can receive a lot of unwanted media attention. As a result of this media attention, this can lead to an unfair advantage for the three components of the criminal justice system especially within police investigations. As high profile cases tend to get more media exposure, the pressure that the state enhances its authority over the police to solve the case tends to get swifter than they would any other investigation. This result can be disastrous because police investigators will try to work through a case quickly and efficiently to satisfy the media, victims, victims’ families as well as the state. Especially with high profile cases where appearances isn’t
I do not see Tennessee decreasing its passing of laws to honor victims. I believe that as long as victims families remain active as advocates for causes they believe in, they will continue to propose legislation to be passed. The fight for laws whether they are amended or created takes time and money in order for the bill to be enacted. For instance, prior to 2014, Amelia’s Law had stalled due to the cost believed to be associated with the bill (Hampson, 2013). Although Amelia’s Law was passed in June of 2014 enforcing the law was another issue. For example, Amelia’s law was passed but wasn’t being enforced as it had been written (Dare, 2015). The issue with enforcing Amelia’s Law was that the device needed to monitor the offender’s blood and
There should not be an amendment to the constitution granting animals rights. The reason I feel there should not be any amendment is because they provide us with food, give us resources that we use daily and we also get long lasting clothes from using their fur or flesh. But I do believe there should be laws on how to properly kill animals we consume or use for their fur, flesh or meat.
Victims, through news reports and social media, often become celebrities overnight. Victims of crime are instantly thrown into the public eye and are fair game when reporters are rushing the scene for a top news story. The media frenzy creates a chaos that magnifies the victims pain and suffering to acquire viewer’s attention, and the reports are usually more gruesome, violent and more sexually charged than the truth. Sexually violent crimes are often a top news focus, re-victimizing the survivor of the sex crime. Research shows that “84% of prime-time television shows contain at least one episode of sexual harassment, which perhaps accurately reflects the commonplace nature of this violent crime”(Beirne, 2011, pg. 11). When a crime has been committed, victims are at a vulnerable time in their lives, which is when the media takes the opportunity to move in and overwhelm them even further while distorting the facts, asking questions, and snapping pictures looking for a news story. Victims are often even re-victimized as the media picks through their past, nothing is private, all information received, whether through a dependable source or just another citizen, is displayed for all of society to make their judgment. This can lead to society thinking the victim deserved it, it was their fault, or they weren’t a good person. This type of treatment has a greater devastating emotional
To say the media and elected officials are a mixed blessing for the rediscovery of crime victims is an understatement. While being a victim of a crime in the 24 hour news grind cycle it remains inconceivable there will be attention being given to victims do not desire it. They might prefer to keep their private lives private. However, there also exists another view that the public may need understand, according to the website Justice Solutions “Other victims and survivors who learn about victims’ experiences through the media may be inspired to report crimes and seek supportive services” (Seymour, 2009) However, news gives elected officials a platform for generating public interest, in turn leads to generating finance to pass laws and implement
The Animal Bill of Rights is meant to protect animals that don’t have legal protection. There are laws that protect some of the animals, but are often insufficient and full of loopholes. In this society we have many people who think the total opposite of defending the animals. It may be because of selfish thinking. Sometimes one might think, it is needed for them to survive or because they want to be able to show their children the animals in person at zoos. Now, the question is, if animals need a Bill of Rights? I strongly believe that they do need a Bill of Rights because there are animals on the day-to-day basis that are being mistreated and abused by humans that don’t care for them. We need the Bill of Rights because it will give a better voice to the animals being treated as if they were nothing in this world. I agree with what the source indicated “ Animals in the U.S. are considered just “property” by law, even though they are living, feeling beings”. If they were not considered “property” humans wouldn’t be harming these animals and would rather be caring or not giving them much attention if they aren’t an animal enthusiast.
For the fifth time that day, Mrs. Jacobs walks past the Miller's window where she stares at their family pug. All of her effort to not open the door is confined in hatred, this animal that doesn't deserve to be cooped up all day, being taken advantage of. All animals should be loved, animal critics argue, but it is not necessary for animals to be given rights because of their lack of communication with humans. The argument of animal rights has exploded in the last decade, creating organizations like P.E.T.A. (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and A.L.F. (Animal Liberation Front) both of which are trying to enforce the government to create laws for animal rights. Animal rights have been a topic of discussion as early as Ancient Rome,
Though it is refreshing that news coverage is no longer solely focused on offenders, the increased coverage of crime victims can have unintended consequences (notes). The media tends to increase coverage levels for crimes (or perpetrators or victims) that are “unusual, unexpected, strange, or perverse” (Karmen, 2015, p. 47); in turn, increased media coverage levels can lead to additional pain and suffering for crime victims and their
The study of good and bad, right and wrong, moral principles or value held by a person or society, promoting human welfare, maximizing freedom minimizing pain and suffering is called ethics. The discipline that studies the moral relationship of human beings and also the value and moral status of the environment and its non-human contents is called environmental ethics. It considers the ethical relationship between the humans and the environment. Animal and animal rights are the highlighted topic in the environmental ethics.
Seems rhetorical, but the fact is animals live through this everyday, without even given the choice. As humans, we establish our authority among all living beings, but for what reasons? Are humans better than all other species? Or is it true that we should hold a precedence over nonhuman animals? The ultimate question then remains, should animals have as much or equal to the same rights as humans? Their are endless arguments for and against this question, and many sub arguments that go hand in hand with each side. In this paper, I will discuss the definition of what animal rights entails and expand on the history that developed it’s meaning. Furthermore, I will thoroughly discuss, reason, and explain each opinion presented by our current society as well as the positions held by previous philosophers. Lastly, I will draw a conclusion to the opinions presented by discussing my personal position on the argument of animal rights.
Is it ethical for animals to have the same rights as humans? During this paper I will present the views of both sides. I will try my best to give the reader a chance to come to there own unbiased conclusion. I will talk about the key areas of animal ethics. I will present the facts and reasoning behind the arguments over Animal cruelty, testing, hunting, and improper housing. My conclusion will hopefully bring us closer to answering many of the question surrounding “Animal Rights and Ethics”.
For many years now the world has seen controversy over the rights of animals and if they think and feel like humans do. Many people see animals as mindless creatures or as food, while others think they have emotions and can feel pain. In other countries animal protection laws are in place that are strictly enforced and seem to work well with the system. In the United States however; some of the animal rights laws are considered to be useless and under-enforced (Animal Legal & Historical Center). More people today are beginning to see that animals should have rights and should be protected by laws and regulations (Animal Legal & Historical Center). Sadly there are many people residing in the United States who don’t take animal rights or protection laws seriously. These people abuse animals in many ways, including food industries that disobey the regulations set in place for the slaughter of animals used for consumption. Luckily for the animals there are people who fight for their rights and the enforcement of laws called animal rights activists.