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Proyecto Visión 21

An unjust justice system should not be tolerated

Francisco Miraval

She was only 14 when unexpectedly her life changed forever. And she was only 17 when she decided to end her own life. The man responsible for the tragic decision, somebody she trusted, was eventually condemned to 15 years in jail. However, after serving only 30 days, he was freed, adding to the injustice of this already painful story.

Some readers may assume this is the plot for one of those Sunday afternoon television movies where everybody is corrupt and deceitful and only the mother of the victim keeps fighting for justice. But this story is not a movie.

Others may think this is something that happened in some remote country (you choose the country) where there is such a level of corruption that victims are often victimized by the justice system and criminals enjoy impunity. But this story did not happen in a remote country.

Or perhaps somebody may guess this is a new book, perhaps one of those “coming of age” novels where the protagonist shares the challenges a teenager experiences when she goes from being a girl to being a woman. But this is not such a novel.

This is a real story and it is happening right now. Its most recent chapter (disgusting as all the previous ones) was written a week ago in the State of Montana.

In 2007, Cherice Moralez, then 14, was raped by her teacher, Stacey Rambold, now 54. In 2010, after Moralez committed suicide, Rambold pled guilty to one charge of sexual abuse and received a delayed sentence to 15 years in prison. To avoid going to jail, Rambold would have to follow some rules, like not being with children, not having a sentimental relationship with adults, and completing a therapy for sexual predators.

Rambold did not follow those rules. So, last August, local district attorneys asked Judge Todd Baugh, of Billings, to send Rambold to jail for at least 10 years. In late August, Baugh rejected that request and, agreeing with the defense, sentenced Rambold to 31 days in jail. Last week, after only 30 days, the former teacher was freed.

The crime was horrible enough: a teacher raping one of his female students. The suicide of the victim is an unspeakable tragedy. According to reports, the victim took her own life because she felt she had “ruined the life” of her former teacher. The short sentence is an undeniable mockery of justice. And, in addition, when Baugh sentenced Rambold, the judge suggested the victim was responsible for causing the incident. (He later apologized.)

The case will be appealed and it will probably be heard by the Montana Supreme Court. Also, more than 140,000 people from several local and national organizations already asked for judge Baugh to be investigated or to be removed from his position.

Regardless, it is difficult to exaggerate the dangers of an unjust justice system were victims are thought to be guilty. Therefore, we cannot and we should not remain silence. Freedom cannot last without justice.

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