Due Process Matters: A Reminder About Justice and Judgment in the Digital Age
By: Vareva Harris, Co-Editor | vareva@thewoodrufftimes.com
In a time when mugshots and arrest headlines are just a click away, it’s important to pause and remember a fundamental principle of the justice system: every person is innocent until proven guilty.
With arrest records and charges widely available on websites and social media, it has become all too easy to make snap judgments about individuals accused of crimes. Photos are shared, stories go viral, and the court of public opinion often delivers a verdict long before a trial ever begins.
This is not to ignore or minimize the pain of victims—empathy for those harmed is vital and necessary.
But justice is not justice unless it protects the rights of all parties involved, including those accused. Due process is more than a legal formality; it is a safeguard against bias, error, and injustice.
While the internet moves quickly, the truth often unfolds slowly. As a society, we must be careful not to substitute headlines for facts, or assumptions for verdicts. Let’s honor both compassion and fairness by remembering that real justice requires patience, care, and balance.
Author: Vareva Harris
