SJD1501 - Social Dimensions Of Justice.

SJD1501 - Social Dimensions Of Justice.1. Reflection on learning experience Experiences with online module Studying SJD online has made life at work easier, since when a person has to work full time, it is hard for that person to successfully juggle their job responsibilities along with homework and study. It was a great journey because I could do assignment from the comfort of my home and I have learned to be selfdisciplined and able to work well on my own. Doing SJD online helped me to manage time effectively, and one of the benefits of learning online you work at the pace that suits you. I have also learned to take pride in my work, I felt like I don’t have to let myself down by posting assignment that are not up to standard, where all my fellow student have access to read my work. I have learned to interact with fellow students online especially dealing with different subjects at a time taught me although at first I had a pressure because whenever I login to the discussion, I would find this fellow students already posted their work before me and I realized that I need to pull my socks and I have learned that higher grades are earned by those who do not procrastinate, who interact with other students by asking questions and who never miss deadlines. Completing this course made me realize that being a great online student takes practice. I have also experienced challenges learning online since it requires strong management skills and self motivation. Sometimes, I would like to work on my assignments but because I didn’t have data to connect to internet, I will postpone the work until I am connected. Group Communication and Discussion Working in group can be challenging at times and it demands a set of skills. In a group you get to know people and working in a group is agreat way to practice skills you are not sure of and I have developed communication skills and these skills promoted my self independence and less dependence. I have also notice that other student rely on other students’s work and this is not fair for students who work very hard on their assignments. I have learned that I experienced a lot with group communication and discussion and benefitted significantly more especially with regard to understanding of the content of the respective subjects provided for in the discussion as the platform on its own gives a student an opportunity to relate with others, compare the manner in which the content is understood and approached. This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on :37:06 GMT -06:00 NAME:SM MASWANGANYI STUDENT NO: SJD 1501: PORTIFOLIO ASSIGNMENT07 2 Working with Other Students Taking this module made it possible to able to communicate with other students and tutor online. SJD module interesting because you get a chance to read different ideas and improve in writing style. I found it very convenient to work with fellow students more especially in that some were very senior students in their third and fourth years and thus very experienced with law and its application, interpretation and implications. The senior students were much accommodative and helpful. Even so, my experience with other students was that there were those lazy students who would rely much on being spoon-fed instead of seeking assistance only in circumstances where they encounter challenges. To me, lawyering is very crucial in ensuring justice and therefore laziness is not for those who desire tobecome future justice functionaries. Content of the Module Content of SJD module covered many aspects of law, and I have gained knowledge. I have developed a basic understanding of what shapes our legal system, the nature of the South African law and criminal justice functionaries, contribute toward building a safer and more just society in comformity with South African Constitution. I was particulary happy to see the concept of Ubuntu included in the content of the module. It reminded me of principles of Ubuntu. I am grateful because now I know the difference between criminal case and civil case, I have many legal terms and role players in justice system. Most importantly ethics and how to protect our enviromnent. 2. I Picture Myself working in the Justice System Today our world is filled with crime. The people committing these crimes must have a consequence for their illegal actions. The system in place to keeping everything fair and safe is called the criminal justice system. This was put in place to ensure there is fairness and justice served to people who break the laws set up by the government. Criminal justice is one of the most important majors one can study due to the necessity to keep the streets safe and clean. From street cops, to state troopers all the way to criminal psychologists the criminal justice system is a very important part of modern society as it keeps us safe from murders, rapists and various other criminals. I want to be part of this team, contribute to my country in an effective manner. I want to be part of Judges giving Judgement in court. This is will be great place to serve my country and to see it that Justice is achieved. I have passion for helping my community, an interest in the well being of society and I have respect for justice and law. I also know that it takes more than education and an interest in the law to become a judge. I believe I have critical reasoning skills and listening skills Much of what a professional in any career in the criminal justice handles requires following the legal, ethical, and moral standards of society. Criminal justice professionals work to help individuals and This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on :37:06 GMT -06:00 STUDENT NO: SJD 1501: PORTIFOLIO ASSIGNMENT07 2021 3 communities avoid abuse, fraud, criminal activity, and prejudice. To be effective in doing so, it is essential for every individual working in criminal justice to have a high standard of ethics and be honest in all aspects of the workplace. Becoming a judge in South Africa is unlike most jobs as one does not study specifically at university to become one, and then apply for the job. There is no “judging” degree in South Africa. This is unlike other countries, particularly those that follow what is known as the civil law system, where you can study to become a judge when you attend university. Judges preside over criminal, civil and constitutional matters in the High Courts, Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court. They are appointed by the President on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission. In terms of the Constitution, any appropriately qualified person, who is considered fit and proper, may be appointed as a judicial officer. Therefore my future goals has been made more clear by the experiences of this module and after completing my LLB Degree I will pursue my career in the criminal justice system and join the Judiciary as a Judge and will preside over cases with an ethical grounding that will ensure that justice is served in the criminal justice system 3. Criminal Justice System Functionaries incorporate the Principle of Ubuntu uBuntu is generally seen to be pointing to the values and principles that it represents and our humanness and the value of community. It is also thought to be about caring and sharing .The criminal justice system is comprised of three major institutions which processa case from inception, through trial, to punishment. A case begins with law enforcement officials, who investigate a crime and gather evidence to identify and use against the presumed perpetrator. Justice by definition is an establishment of fairness on the side of the victim and bestowal of the sting to the offender. Ubuntu on the other hand is the spirit of balancing all that ishumanly good and acceptable to the vast majority of the community. When a verdict has to be given, Ubuntu and justice become competing interests. This is because both these aspects are for the benefit of all human regardless of the act that has been committed by the offender ofthe law.A loss of a life of an individual is something that can never be compensated. The crime of murder is by far and large a crime that, after all reasonable considerations,must be given maximum sentence, according to the book Ubuntu and The Law.Maximum custodial sentence is what comes to mind if a term murder is mentioned. Some people argue however that if a first time murder offender receives a custodial sentence, the purpose of justice is defeated because the family of the deceased does not benefit from it. Advocate Rishanna Bramdawe, who is doing his private practice and specialises in criminal advocacy, medical negligence and contract law, said that justice must be done with compassion and humanity not by the rule of thumb.“Retribution and deterrence should not dismiss the imperativeness of restorative justice.The court is the ultimate custodian on behalf of the interest of society and Ubuntu should form part of our legal system,” said Bramdawe.“If a person is put away because of the crime of murder, no one benefits.The affected family is not in any way compensated for the loss of their family member.Something like community service is what benefits not just the family of the deceased but the community at large.The grassroots principle of retaining the sting to the offender is kept constant,” expressed Andile Mcineka, a Law student in the University of KwaZulu-Natal.Restorative justice is other alternative that the court always has at its disposal when handing a sentence. Since murder cannot be compensated for, it is This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on :37:06 GMT -06:00 s NAME:SM MASWANGANYI STUDENT NO: SJD 1501: PORTIFOLIO ASSIGNMENT07 4 classified as a serious criminaloffence.Minenhle Buthelezi, a ceramics student at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), said that restorative justice was not for recidivisms and murder convicted people.“Murder is a much more serious crime and giving a perpetrator a sentence of community work is just not equal to the damage that he or she had done. I believe that in the process of administration of the law, there should be a direct balance between the act committed and the punishment given,” said Buthelezi. Our prison system in this country lacks that quality very seriously and it's something that's needed before the men and women incarcerated can feel human. Personally I think the lack of being able to feel human is one of the biggest problems with our prisons.